InterMat Staff

With the high school wrestling season's start nearing, InterMat is taking readers across the United States of America on a tour of scholastic wrestling. From mid-August until mid-November, InterMat is introducing readers to the top high school senior wrestlers in the 49 states with scholastic wrestling. Gerald Walsh looks at the top senior wrestlers in Wisconsin. Wisconsin high school wrestling for 2014-2015 looks to be very competitive. The wrestlers selected are strangely bunched between 126 pounds and 152 pounds. There will be seven of the top ten within that range on the list because every one of them earned their spot. Wisconsin lacks the dominant big men that peppered the heavier ranks the last five years. The depth is in the middleweights and it shows. Five of the wrestlers represent the largest school division, Division I. One wrestler represents the next division, Division II. Four very good wrestlers come from the small school division, Division III. Robert Lee (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)1. Robert Lee (Kaukauna) Projected High School Weight Class: 138/145 Projected College Weight Class: 141 Analysis: Lee is a two-time state champ, winning state titles as a junior and freshman, sandwiched around a runner-up finish as a sophomore. He is a young senior who is extremely competitive and is driven to excel. Lee takes great pride in who and what he represents. He has accumulated a 142-14 career record through his junior year wrestling the toughest schedule in Wisconsin. Kaukauna hosts the Cheesehead and travels to the toughest tournaments that they can enter. From going to Fargo for the Rumble on the Red to the Minnesota Christmas Tournament, Lee has wrestled the best. 2. Cole Martin (Lancaster) Projected High School Weight Class: 138-145 Projected College Weight Class: 141 Analysis: Martin, who competes in Division III, won state championships the last two seasons at 132 pounds and 120 pounds, and was a runner-up as a freshman at 106 pounds. He excels in the classroom with a 3.99 GPA. Martin only had 23 matches in 2014 after breaking his ankle in football. He is an excellent all-around wrestler that is especially nasty on his feet. Martin's coach describes him as the ultimate student-athlete. 3. Kal Gerber (Reedsville) Projected High School Weight Class: 126 Projected College Weight Class: 125 Analysis: As a junior, Gerber won his second state championship in Division III, compiling a record of 45-2. His high school career record is 130-10. Gerber is an all-around athlete. He was all-conference three times in baseball and two times in cross-country. Gerber plans on majoring in pre-med and is leaning towards Iowa State. He has a GPA of 4.0 and is ranked first in his class. 4. Dewey Krueger (Oconto Falls) Projected High School Weight Class: 145 Projected College Weight Class: 141/149 Krueger is a two-time state finalist, winning a state championship as a sophomore at 132 pounds. His high school career record is 119-12. Krueger has had the opportunity to face many of the top wrestlers in Wisconsin his first three years and has always been competitive. 5. Joe Ziolkowski (D.C. Everest) Projected High School Weight Class: 152/160 Projected College Weight Class: 157 Analysis: Ziolkowski claimed a state championship in Division I last season at 145 pounds, compiling a season record of 49-3. His high school career record is 138-16. Ziolkowski wrestles in a very tough conference in middle Wisconsin that has produced many past state champions. He was a first team Academic All-State wrestler last year. Ziolkowski has warmed up to the idea of wrestling in college and is looking forward to that opportunity. He plans on majoring in business in college. 6. David Chadd (Lancaster) Projected High School Weight Class: 195 Projected College Weight Class: 197 Analysis: Chadd earned a state championship last season in Division III at 182 pounds, a year after finished third in the state tournament as a sophomore. He enters his senior season with a high school career record of 112-20. Chadd is a physical wrestler who likes to mix it up. He is also a talented Greco-Roman wrestler. Chadd has gone from a gangly 170-pounder as a freshman to a beast 195-pounder this year. He is very good on his feet and an excellent thrower. Chadd carries a 3.488 GPA. 7. Mason Reinhardt (Merrill) Projected High School Weight Class: 170-182 Projected College Weight Class: 174 Analysis: Reinhardt is a three-time state placewinner, finishing as a state runner-up last season after state tournament finishes of third as a sophomore and fifth as a freshman. He has been in a very tough weight class in his conference and state his first three years of high school competition. His high school career record is 134-12. Reinhardt has earned his No. 7 spot based on competition and without a state championship. 8. Kasey Caelwaerts (Pulaski) Projected High School Weight Class: 160 Projected College Weight Class: 157/165 Analysis: Caelwaerts was injured last season as a junior, but was a state runner-up as a sophomore to Beau Breske at 152 pounds. He has a high school career record of 109-8. Caelwaerts captured an InterMat JJ Classic title at 145 pounds in 2012. He has also been a Mid-States champion. He will be very tough at whatever weight he wrestles. Caelwaerts is a hammer on top and is looking to score whenever he steps on the mat. 9. Grant Wiedopohl (Reedsville) Projected High School Weight Class: 170-182 Projected College Weight Class: 184/197 Analysis: Wiedopohl is coming off a state championship season at 170 pounds after going 43-1. He was a state fifth-place finisher as a sophomore at 152 pounds. Wiedopohl has compiled a high school career record of 122-18. He is a tough, aggressive upperweight from one of the smallest schools in Wisconsin with an up-and-coming program. 10. Eric Schmidt (Verona) Projected High School Weight Class: 152 Projected College Weight Class: 149/157 Analysis: Schmidt has been a state runner-up in each of his last two seasons. As a junior, Schmidt fell to Joe Ziolkowski, and a sophomore lost to Jared Scharenbrock. Schmidt is a very tough, fluid wrestler who will be a handful for anyone who faces him.

Last week's mailbag included a question that launched an impassioned discussion about a female wrestler's right to take the mat against a boy. The back-and-forth was focused on Harrisburg dioceses decision to forbid boys to wrestle girls, but quickly ballooned into the right of any girl to wrestle. Readers on both sides were ardent in their defense about how the perceived gender roles -- and to an extent both were correct. Americans are guaranteed the opportunity to express personal opinions, and insomuch as it doesn't harm others, they are also allowed to live their lives by their own unique set of values. For example, the American government doesn't force Judeo-Christian religious doctrine into the everyday lives of the people, and that means we have a culturally diverse landscape of people, ideas and beliefs. As a parent, you are allowed to order your male children to not wrestle girls, and your female child can also be forbidden to wrestle boys. That's a prerogative American parents are given over a dependent. However, that in no way should be extended to a third party institution that exists outside of the family -- even if as a parent you agree with the ruling, the ruling itself limits the ability of the individual to make independent decisions. Yet there seems to be confusion over what exactly it means to have personal choice, versus willing institutional subjugation. In the case of the diocese, the freedom of the individual to make a choice has been supplanted by the power the diocese believes it wields over it's flock. In defense of the diocese many are quick to point to freedom of speech, or the general "Don't Tread on Me" right to free association and conduct -- that outlook confuses the right of the individual to pursue personal destiny, with the rights of an institution to make a ruling. The difference is vital and is where the diocese has made an error. Although a private school, the schools overseen by the dioceses all receive federal funds, which make them subject to laws governing the equal treatment of the sexes. This week news broke the Title IX laws, specifically the gender quotas applied to higher education around the country, would now be brought to the high school level. As the OCR lawyers sharpen their pencils and pull out the map of United States high schools, my hope is that they first aim for the wrestling programs controlled by the Harrisburg dioceses. Their willfulness in limiting the personal choice of their students on the basis of sex has no role within the wrestling community. Parents, not institutions, have the right to make decisions about their children's lives, and the dioceses' arrogance in thinking otherwise should make them first on the OCR's radar of gender discriminators. And if the OCR doesn't come knocking soon, I have a better idea for correcting this institutional injustice. I suggest that every school with a dual meet against a program overseen by the dioceses should field a team entirely of girls. From the lightest to the heaviest, with 10 years of experience, or none at all, each should take the mat and stand there in defiance of gender discrimination. As a few close-minded bureaucrats force their boys to forfeit the message will be sent: Women and the wrestling community won't be governed from the outside. We chose individual choice and inclusion over institutional rule and discrimination. The sooner that individuals and institutions accept this fact, the sooner the wrestling community can get on to the business of growing our sport in new ways. Until then we'll continue to fight Title IX gender quotas, live in fear of bad press and watch in anger as our programs are cut -- delusional enough to believe they are picking on us for no reason. Girls wrestle. To your questions ... Q: Gabe Dean was an impressive freshman who snapped Ed Ruth's long winning streak. Is it conceivable that Dean does what Ruth did over his final three seasons of college wrestling? -- Mike C. Cornell's Gabe Dean finished third at the NCAAs as a freshman (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Foley: Not only did Gabe Dean look spectacular on the mat all of last season, he also competed in top form at the Junior World Championships in Zagreb this summer. Though he would lose on a bone-headed mistake in the quarterfinals, it was obvious that Dean possessed the ability, at a pretty young age, to command every match he wrestles. The NCAA tournament is a difficult tournament to dominate, but that's exactly what Ruth had done the past three seasons. For Dean to have a similar path as Ruth he will not only have to go almost flawless over his last three years of competition, but get through an NCAA tournament filled with talent. I'm a believer in Dean's ability, but I think we are looking at a two-time NCAA champion with one or two more losses. Not exactly modest expectations, but also not quite to the level of Ruth. Q: I do not know if you heard but the Indian Premier Wrestling League, which will start in November 2014, is a professional league with United World Wrestling rules. It will be in six cities around India each which will have teams. -- Dennis L. Foley: The IWL is being modeled after the "You-Almost-Can't-Conceive-How-Successful" Indian Premier Cricket League. That league, which takes the three-day cricket match and shortens it to three hours, has meant billions of dollars for that sport in India. Wrestling, though only the fourth most popular sport in India behind cricket, cricket and cricket, will have a large market by which to be successful. Indians crave entertainment and they love sports. With Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt having done so well, wrestling has been beamed into more living rooms than ever before. Previous to their success wrestling was limited to kushti (traditional wrestling) dangals (tournaments) hosted by politicians and local celebrities. These were also wildly popular but didn't have the same cross-country effect. Almost all are hyper-local events. The IWL could be a big hit. The organizers have talked about bringing in foreign talent to add some intrigue, and the presentation is absolutely sure to be spectacular. If you've ever seen IPL you'd know that a good portion of the game is spent with cameramen in the stands looking for excited fans and pretty women. The latter is a standard operating procedure among cameraman worldwide. I'll email some friends and see if we can get even more information before the start of the league, including how to watch! Multimedia Halftime Bill Farrell Invitational (formerly NYAC) commercial No.1 Japanese drilling session Post by Alaa Hussin AL Abidi. Don't lat drop a lineman Q: I noticed the Doi twins were both ranked at 101 pounds in the women's college rankings. What's the likelihood they face each other in the national championship match? Who would you give the edge to? -- Mike C. Marina Doi earned a bronze medal at the Junior World Championships this summer (Photo/Martin Gabor)Foley: The Doi twins have been progressing well through USA Wrestling's Cadet and Junior programs. This past summer Marina earned bronze at the Junior World Championships, while Regina didn't compete. Marina also placed third at the 2013 Cadet World Championships, won a Cadet World title in 2012 and earned a silver medal at the Cadet Worlds in 2011. Regina earned a silver medal at the 2013 Cadet Worlds. Who is better? The edge might be to Marina, though that could change on a daily basis. They are both a little too small to compete at the senior 48-kilo limit, which means that until that time they will need to work on getting in as much competition as possible and bulking up. This year that might mean rolling against each other!

MANHEIM, Pa. -- After representing the U.S. on two Junior World Teams in 2012 and 2013, returning NCAA champion and 2013 Junior World silver medalist Alex Dieringer of Oklahoma State is set for his next challenge -- a new weight class. Oklahoma State's Alex Dieringer defeated Minnesota's Dylan Ness in the NCAA finals last season at 165 (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine)Dieringer, a two-time All-American and the 157-pound NCAA Division I champion in 2014, will move up to 165 pounds this season and he'll get tested right away with a match against two-time All-American Nick Sulzer of Virginia at the 2014 NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps and the Wrestlers in Business Network hosted by Penn and WIBN-Philadelphia on November 1 at the Palestra on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. Dieringer, originally from Port Washington, Wisconsin, went 32-1 last season en route to the NCAA championship. His career mark is a sterling 67-4. He finished third at 157 pounds during his freshman season. Dieringer is also known for his wide-open style. He has 12 falls last season and a total of 19 victories by fall, technical fall or major decision. Sulzer, a two-time All-American from Ohio high school powerhouse St. Edward in Lakewood, Ohio, comes in with a 90-23 career record. He went 36-3 last year and finished fourth at 165 pounds. He was eighth as a sophomore, also at 165 pounds. Sulzer is also known for his ability to put points on the board. While not the most prolific pinner, Sulzer earned 17 major decisions last year. The two have never met in collegiate competition. Oklahoma State has put wrestlers in the event more than any other wrestling program. Cowboy wrestlers have appeared individually in the All-Star Classic 85 total times with an overall record of 42-37. Oklahoma State has appeared in 38 of the 48 previous events, but this will be the first time since 2011 the orange and black will compete as Dieringer joins teammate Josh Kindig in the event. Sulzer will be the first wrestler from Virginia since 2009 to compete in the event and just the fourth overall. Virginia head coach Steve Garland was the first Cavalier wrestler to compete in the event back in 2000 in East Lansing, Michigan. Scott Moore has the only win by a Virginia wrestler, beating Oklahoma's Teyon Ware in 2004 at 141 pounds. Chris Henrich competed in 2009 in Fullerton, California, falling to Stephen Dwyer 7-6 at 174 pounds. "This is a match I'm really looking forward to because both Alex Dieringer and Nick Sulzer love to score points," said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "Combined, these two wrestlers had 44 of their 68 victories end with a fall, technical fall or major decision. It's the type of matchup where the fans around the country will see what's great about wrestling – these two will get after it." To purchase tickets to the event, click here for the Penn Athletic Ticket Office. The event will be streamed live by the NWCA's live streaming partner Flowrestling. Fox College Sports will air the event on television via tape-delay no less than 10 times during the season, starting two weeks after the event has completed. These broadcasts are paid for by Rothschild, a leading global financial advisory based in New York City with offices in Washington, Los Angeles and Houston. Hibiclens and Resilite will again support the event as associate sponsors. The Rothman Institute and the United Association (UA) Group will also make 1,500 tickets available for local students (K-12) throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. These tickets will be distributed to regional schools by representatives of the United States Marine Corps. Follow on Social Media! For more information on the All-Star Classic, visit www.theallstarclassic.com and follow the NWCA on Facebook and Twitter. Fans can join the discussion with the #NWCAClassic hashtag. Fans should keep an eye on the discussion as there will be contests and interactive discussions about the event via Twitter and Facebook! Competing wrestlers will be eligible for the Outstanding Wrestler Award, presented by the Wrestlers in Business Network - Atlanta Chapter. Announced Matchups: 125: Nahshon Garrett, Jr. (Cornell) vs. Joey Dance, So. (Virginia Tech) 133: A.J. Schopp, Sr. (Edinboro) vs. Mason Beckman, Jr. (Lehigh) 141: 149: Jason Tsirtsis, So. (Northwestern) vs. Josh Kindig, Sr. (Oklahoma State) 157: James Green, Sr. (Nebraska) vs. Ian Miller, Jr. (Kent State) 165: Alex Dieringer, Jr. (Oklahoma State) vs. Nick Sulzer, Sr. (Virginia) 174: Robert Kokesh, Sr. (Nebraska) vs. Tyler Wilps, Sr. (Pittsburgh) 184: Gabe Dean, So. (Cornell) vs. Jack Dechow, So. (Old Dominion) 197: 285: Nick Gwiazdowski, Jr. (N.C. State) vs. Mike McMullan, Sr. (Northwestern) Showcase matchups to be announced About the NWCA Founded in 1928, the NWCA strives to promote and provide leadership for the advancement of amateur wrestling, primarily at the scholastic and collegiate levels. The association is headquartered in Manheim Pa. The three core competencies are coaching development, student-wrestler welfare, and promotion/advocacy. The NWCA has 10,000 members and educational programs that serve 230,000 students each year. www.nwcaonline.com NWCA on Facebook | NWCA on Twitter About the University of Pennsylvania Established in 1740, the University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League research university located in Philadelphia. Incorporated as The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn is one of 14 founding members of the Association of American Universities and is one of the nine original Colonial Colleges. The school was founded by Ben Franklin. Penn is ranked among the top research universities in the world. About Wrestlers in Business/Wrestlers in Business Philadelphia The Group Wrestlers in Business is a non-profit organization that strives to unite the thousands of wrestlers that have retired from the sport and are now in their respective careers. It started as a networking group on LinkedIn. Since then, the group has evolved into a more prominent, member-focused organization that cares about supporting current & former wrestlers and the sport. Their mission is to establish a community of wrestlers who commonly share in the interest of helping each other in business and in life, while supporting and strengthening the sport that made us who we are today. www.wrestlersinbusiness.org Wrestlers in Business Philadelphia is a newly formed group who will kick-off their Chapter events with a Social Event in September followed by All-Star Classic. A 14-member Board has been elected led by President Anthony Stagliano and he is joined by distinguished names in the wrestling and business community including four members who have long ties to the University of Pennsylvania; Roger Reina who is playing a prominent role in the promotion of the All-Star Classic, Gary Baker, Andy Matter and Chris Hanlon. www.wrestlersinbusiness.org/chapters/philadelphia-pa About the United States Marine Corps On November 10, 1775, the Marine Corps was established by the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since then, the Marine Corps, through service on land, in air, and at sea, have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term "Marine" has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue. Whether facing our nation's foes or conducting humanitarian relief and disaster recovery operations at home or abroad, today's Marine Corps stands ready to continue in the same proud tradition of faithful service to the United States. For more information, visit www.Marines.com. About Rothman Institute Rothman Institute is a private orthopaedic practice dedicated to providing communities with high-quality, compassionate, and affordable musculoskeletal care that is grounded in evidence-based medicine, the results of which will exceed expectations. Rothman Institute orthopaedists treat patients at 20 locations in the Philadelphia-region, including orthopaedic urgent care clinics in Marlton, NJ and Limerick, PA. With experts in orthopaedic sub-specialties including spine, hip and knee, foot and ankle, shoulder and elbow, hand and wrist, sports medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, orthopaedic oncology and trauma, the Rothman Institute is internationally recognized for excellence in clinical treatment methods, research, education and technology. Consistently recognized as national and regional "Top Docs," the Rothman Institute is proud to be official team physicians for several professional, college and high school teams. For more information about the Rothman Institute please call 1-800-321-9999 or visit www.RothmanInstitute.com.

MANHEIM, Pa. -- A pair of All-Americans will meet at 174 pounds at the 2014 NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps and the Wrestlers in Business Network hosted by Penn and WIBN-Philadelphia on November 1 at the Palestra on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. Nebraska's Robert Kokesh finished fourth at the NCAAs, with his only two losses coming to Minnesota's Logan Storley (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Nebraska's two-time All-American Robert Kokesh will meet Pittsburgh's All-American Tyler Wilps in the seventh match released by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. A senior from Wagner, South Dakota, Kokesh comes in with a stellar 105-14 career record to go along with a third and fourth-place finish at the past two NCAA Division I championships. Kokesh finished fourth last year, losing only to Minnesota's Logan Storley in two matches that went to the tiebreaker. From Oakdale, Pennsylvania, Wilps will be the second wrestler in his family to compete in the event and eighth Pittsburgh Panther wrestler overall. Panther wrestlers are 3-4 overall in the event with Wilps' older brother Matt last appearing in 2012 where he pinned Penn State's Quentin Wright at 197 pounds. Wilps comes in with a career record of 70-28 and he's a two-time NCAA qualifier. He was seventh at the 2014 NCAA Division I championships. Kokesh and Wilps have met twice during their college career, with Kokesh picking up both victories. Kokesh's first win came back in December of 2011 where he pinned Wilps in 20 seconds. The second time they met was much closer, as Kokesh defeated Wilps 2-1 in the tiebreakers in the consolation quarterfinals at last year's NCAA Division I Championships in Oklahoma City. Wilps won the Atlantic Coast Conference at 174 pounds last year, the first year Pittsburgh competed in the conference. Kokesh's participation in the All-Star Classic will mark the 23rd time a Husker has wrestled in the event. He'll join teammate James Green, who will wrestle Ian Miller at 157 pounds. It'll be the first time since 2009 a Husker has wrestled in the event. Nebraska holds an overall record of 11-10 individually with the two most recent wins coming in 2009 at Fullerton, California where Jordan Burroughs and Stephen Dwyer earned individual victories. Also in 2009, Craig Brester competed at 197 pounds. "So far, we've got seven matchups with a total of 14 All-Americans at the All-Star Classic," said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "Pittsburgh has been a rising program in the East the past several years and has a lot of great tradition, while Nebraska, as we know, is always a team pushing for a trophy at the end of the season." To purchase tickets to the event, click here for the Penn Athletic Ticket Office. The event will be streamed live by the NWCA's live streaming partner Flowrestling. Fox College Sports will air the event on television via tape-delay no less than 10 times during the season, starting two weeks after the event has completed. These broadcasts are paid for by Rothschild, a leading global financial advisory based in New York City with offices in Washington, Los Angeles and Houston. Hibiclens and Resilite will again support the event as associate sponsors. The Rothman Institute and the United Association (UA) Group will also make 1,500 tickets available for local students (K-12) throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. Follow on Social Media! For more information on the All-Star Classic, visit www.theallstarclassic.com and follow the NWCA on Facebook and Twitter. Fans can join the discussion with the #NWCAClassic hashtag. Fans should keep an eye on the discussion as there will be contests and interactive discussions about the event via Twitter and Facebook! Competing wrestlers will be eligible for the Outstanding Wrestler Award, presented by the Wrestlers in Business Network - Atlanta Chapter. Announced Matchups: 125: Nahshon Garrett, Jr. (Cornell) vs. Joey Dance, So. (Virginia Tech) 133: A.J. Schopp, Sr. (Edinboro) vs. Mason Beckman, Jr. (Lehigh) 141: 149: Jason Tsirtsis, So. (Northwestern) vs. Josh Kindig, Sr. (Oklahoma State) 157: James Green, Sr. (Nebraska) vs. Ian Miller, Jr. (Kent State) 165: 174: Robert Kokesh, Sr. (Nebraska) vs. Tyler Wilps, Sr. (Pittsburgh) 184: Gabe Dean, So. (Cornell) vs. Jack Dechow, So. (Old Dominion) 197: 285: Nick Gwiazdowski, Jr. (N.C. State) vs. Mike McMullan, Sr. (Northwestern) Showcase matchups to be announced About the NWCA Founded in 1928, the NWCA strives to promote and provide leadership for the advancement of amateur wrestling, primarily at the scholastic and collegiate levels. The association is headquartered in Manheim Pa. The three core competencies are coaching development, student-wrestler welfare, and promotion/advocacy. The NWCA has 10,000 members and educational programs that serve 230,000 students each year. www.nwcaonline.com NWCA on Facebook | NWCA on Twitter About the University of Pennsylvania Established in 1740, the University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League research university located in Philadelphia. Incorporated as The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn is one of 14 founding members of the Association of American Universities and is one of the nine original Colonial Colleges. The school was founded by Ben Franklin. Penn is ranked among the top research universities in the world. About Wrestlers in Business/Wrestlers in Business Philadelphia The Group Wrestlers in Business is a non-profit organization that strives to unite the thousands of wrestlers that have retired from the sport and are now in their respective careers. It started as a networking group on LinkedIn. Since then, the group has evolved into a more prominent, member-focused organization that cares about supporting current & former wrestlers and the sport. Their mission is to establish a community of wrestlers who commonly share in the interest of helping each other in business and in life, while supporting and strengthening the sport that made us who we are today. www.wrestlersinbusiness.org Wrestlers in Business Philadelphia is a newly formed group who will kick-off their Chapter events with a Social Event in September followed by All-Star Classic. A 14-member Board has been elected led by President Anthony Stagliano and he is joined by distinguished names in the wrestling and business community including four members who have long ties to the University of Pennsylvania; Roger Reina who is playing a prominent role in the promotion of the All-Star Classic, Gary Baker, Andy Matter and Chris Hanlon. www.wrestlersinbusiness.org/chapters/philadelphia-pa About the United States Marine Corps On November 10, 1775, the Marine Corps was established by the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since then, the Marine Corps, through service on land, in air, and at sea, have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term "Marine" has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue. Whether facing our nation's foes or conducting humanitarian relief and disaster recovery operations at home or abroad, today's Marine Corps stands ready to continue in the same proud tradition of faithful service to the United States. For more information, visit www.Marines.com. About Rothman Institute Rothman Institute is a private orthopaedic practice dedicated to providing communities with high-quality, compassionate, and affordable musculoskeletal care that is grounded in evidence-based medicine, the results of which will exceed expectations. Rothman Institute orthopaedists treat patients at 20 locations in the Philadelphia-region, including orthopaedic urgent care clinics in Marlton, NJ and Limerick, PA. With experts in orthopaedic sub-specialties including spine, hip and knee, foot and ankle, shoulder and elbow, hand and wrist, sports medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, orthopaedic oncology and trauma, the Rothman Institute is internationally recognized for excellence in clinical treatment methods, research, education and technology. Consistently recognized as national and regional "Top Docs," the Rothman Institute is proud to be official team physicians for several professional, college and high school teams. For more information about the Rothman Institute please call 1-800-321-9999 or visit www.RothmanInstitute.com.

The Fight Network presents Takedown Radio broadcasting from the Brute Studios as Kemin Industries and 04 Water/ Blue 04 Water introduces Takedown Wrestling Radio, taking the pulse of America's sport! Join Scott Casber, Tim Harms, Tony Hager and Brad Johnson this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. CT/ 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET live on KXNO.com, TakedownRadio.com and iHeartRadio.com. Enter our Super Sunday Singlet giveaway for a chance to win a singlet every Sunday of the year by following us on Facebook at facebook.com/TakedownWrestling and on Twitter at @Takedownradio This week Takedown is on the road at Van Meter Iowa and the Legends Field House. Guests include: Tom Ryan, Barry Davis, Tom Scully, Kevin Dresser, Guy Sako, Teague Moore Note: All times Central 9:00 a.m. Tom Ryan 9:15 a.m. Barry Davis 9:35 a.m. Tom Scully 10:00 a.m. Kevin Dresser 10:20 a.m. Guy Sako 10:35 a.m. Teague Moore For contests and conversation use 866-333-5966 or 515-204-5966 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. CT Listen to the show on radio, computer, blackberry or iPhone on the iHRadio app, KXNO.com or on Takedownradio.com.

The UFC is being lazy and taking a week off (actually they need to take more weeks off, otherwise we might actively root for playoff baseball to preempt them). But the MMA Outsider isn't, reviewing the upcoming Bellator and World Series of Fighting shows. Most importantly Bellator bantamweight champion Eduardo Dantas is back in action. He's pretty good at the fighting thing, so tune in. Do you want to listen to a past episode? Access archives.

Jason Tsirtsis defeated Josh Kindig in the NCAA finals (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine) MANHEIM, Pa. -- The NWCA All-Star Classic has historically been an event where potential NCAA championship previews take place. In 2014, the 149-pound matchup won't be just a preview, it'll be an NCAA finals rematch as Northwestern's Jason Tsirtsis will take on Oklahoma State's Josh Kindig. Tsirtsis and Kindig is the latest matchup released by the National Wrestling Coaches Association for the 2014 NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps and the Wrestlers in Business Network hosted by Penn and WIBN-Philadelphia on November 1 at the Palestra on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. Tsirtsis, a sophomore from Crown Point, Indiana, went 32-3 last season defeated Kindig 3-1 in sudden victory to win the Division I title last season in Oklahoma City. It'll be the second time the two have met during their college career. As a freshman, Tsirtsis came into last year's NCAA Division I championships as the No. 5 seed and defeated four eventual All-Americans, including defending champion Kendric Maple of Oklahoma,, en route to the title. Kindig was a surprise finalist, emerging from the bottom bracket and the No. 11 seed to make the finals. From Blue Mountain, Pennsylvania, knocked off No. 6 Jake Suefolhn of Nebraska, No. 14 Scott Sakaguchi of Oregon State and No. 15 Mitch Minotti of Lehigh to make the finals. Kindig went 24-9 last season after redshirting in 2012-13. He's a three-time NCAA qualifier and his career mark stands at 65-29. "The fact we're starting off the season with a rematch of last year's final is remarkable,” said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "The matchup between Jason Tsirtsis and Josh Kindig isn't just a showcase of what's to come, it's a chance to see two of the top young wrestlers in the sport get reacquainted with a high-level, championship quality match.” Oklahoma State has put wrestlers in the event more than any other wrestling program. Cowboy wrestlers have appeared individually in the All-Star Classic 85 total times with an overall record of 42-37. Oklahoma State has appeared in 38 of the 48 previous events, but this will be the first time since 2011 the orange and black will compete. In 2011, Jordan Oliver and Jamal Parks won matches in Tempe, Arizona. Northwestern first appeared in the event in 1968 when Russ Schnieder competed at 160 pounds in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Overall, Wildcat wrestlers have appeared 14 times with a 5-9 overall record. Jason Welch was the last Wildcat to win a match at the All-Star Classic, beating American's Ganbayar Sanjaa 8-5 at 157 pounds in Tempe, Arizona in 2011. Tsirtsis will join teammate Mike McMullan in this year's event. To purchase tickets to the event, click here for the Penn Athletic Ticket Office. The event will be streamed live by the NWCA's live streaming partner Flowrestling. Fox College Sports will air the event on television via tape-delay no less than 10 times during the season, starting two weeks after the event has completed. These broadcasts are paid for by Rothschild, a leading global financial advisory based in New York City with offices in Washington, Los Angeles and Houston. Hibiclens and Resilite will again support the event as associate sponsors. The Rothman Institute and the United Association (UA) Group will also make 1,500 tickets available for local students (K-12) throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. "Hibiclens and Resilite have long supported the NWCA and its events,” said Moyer. "We're pleased to have two true wrestling companies on board again. The donation of 1,500 tickets by Rothman and the UA Group will help us expand the reach of college wrestling to the local wrestling community.” Follow on Social Media! For more information on the All-Star Classic, visit www.theallstarclassic.com and follow the NWCA on Facebook and Twitter. Fans can join the discussion with the #NWCAClassic hashtag. Fans should keep an eye on the discussion as there will be contests and interactive discussions about the event via Twitter and Facebook! Competing wrestlers will be eligible for the Outstanding Wrestler Award, presented by the Wrestlers in Business Network - Atlanta Chapter. Announced Matchups: 125: Nahshon Garrett, Jr. (Cornell) vs. Joey Dance, So. (Virginia Tech) 133: A.J. Schopp, Sr. (Edinboro) vs. Mason Beckman, Jr. (Lehigh) 141: 149: Jason Tsirtsis, So. (Northwestern) vs. Josh Kindig, Jr. (Oklahoma State) 157: James Green, Sr. (Nebraska) vs. Ian Miller, Jr. (Kent State) 165: 174: 184: Gabe Dean, So. (Cornell) vs. Jack Dechow, So. (Old Dominion) 197: 285: Nick Gwiazdowski, Jr. (N.C. State) vs. Mike McMullan, Sr. (Northwestern) Showcase matchups to be Announced About the NWCA Founded in 1928, the NWCA strives to promote and provide leadership for the advancement of amateur wrestling, primarily at the scholastic and collegiate levels. The association is headquartered in Manheim Pa. The three core competencies are coaching development, student-wrestler welfare, and promotion/advocacy. The NWCA has 10,000 members and educational programs that serve 230,000 students each year. www.nwcaonline.com NWCA on Facebook | NWCA on Twitter About the University of Pennsylvania Established in 1740, the University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League research university located in Philadelphia. Incorporated as The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn is one of 14 founding members of the Association of American Universities and is one of the nine original Colonial Colleges. The school was founded by Ben Franklin. Penn is ranked among the top research universities in the world. About Wrestlers in Business/Wrestlers in Business Philadelphia The Group Wrestlers in Business is a non-profit organization that strives to unite the thousands of wrestlers that have retired from the sport and are now in their respective careers. It started as a networking group on LinkedIn. Since then, the group has evolved into a more prominent, member-focused organization that cares about supporting current & former wrestlers and the sport. Their mission is to establish a community of wrestlers who commonly share in the interest of helping each other in business and in life, while supporting and strengthening the sport that made us who we are today. www.wrestlersinbusiness.org Wrestlers in Business Philadelphia is a newly formed group who will kick-off their Chapter events with a Social Event in September followed by All-Star Classic. A 14-member Board has been elected led by President Anthony Stagliano and he is joined by distinguished names in the wrestling and business community including four members who have long ties to the University of Pennsylvania; Roger Reina who is playing a prominent role in the promotion of the All-Star Classic, Gary Baker, Andy Matter and Chris Hanlon. www.wrestlersinbusiness.org/chapters/philadelphia-pa About the United States Marine Corps On November 10, 1775, the Marine Corps was established by the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since then, the Marine Corps, through service on land, in air, and at sea, have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term "Marine” has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue. Whether facing our nation's foes or conducting humanitarian relief and disaster recovery operations at home or abroad, today's Marine Corps stands ready to continue in the same proud tradition of faithful service to the United States. For more information, visit www.Marines.com. About Rothman Institute Rothman Institute is a private orthopaedic practice dedicated to providing communities with high-quality, compassionate, and affordable musculoskeletal care that is grounded in evidence-based medicine, the results of which will exceed expectations. Rothman Institute orthopaedists treat patients at 20 locations in the Philadelphia-region, including orthopaedic urgent care clinics in Marlton, NJ and Limerick, PA. With experts in orthopaedic sub-specialties including spine, hip and knee, foot and ankle, shoulder and elbow, hand and wrist, sports medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, orthopaedic oncology and trauma, the Rothman Institute is internationally recognized for excellence in clinical treatment methods, research, education and technology. Consistently recognized as national and regional "Top Docs,” the Rothman Institute is proud to be official team physicians for several professional, college and high school teams. For more information about the Rothman Institute please call 1-800-321-9999 or visit www.RothmanInstitute.com.

The wrestling portion of the Asian Games concluded this week, bringing an end to the 2014 competition calendar for many freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestlers. Eleman Dogdurbek Uulu launched Jang Myong-Song in a bronze-medal match in men's freestyle at the Asia Games (Photo/Sachiko Hotaka)The World Championships would normally signal the end, but the quadrennial games hosted in Asia are a powerhouse event where wrestlers are compensated handsomely for winning efforts. In Korea gold medalists earn $5,000 a month for the rest of their life and are eligible to skip compulsory military service. In North Korea gold medal wrestlers were rumored to receive apartments. With the end of the season comes my personal break from wrestling. I've been covering these tournaments and building the new United World Wrestling media department for several months, and haven't had much time to power down the engines. The upcoming rest period will be spent outside of the gymnasium and hopefully add some perspective to the season. Mostly I'm looking forward to a sun burn, fruity cocktails and napping. My time spent doing less will also give me an opportunity to contemplate the direction of the upcoming folkstyle season in America. The 2014-15 NCAA season is rotten with storylines, and though I could expound on any of them with zeal, I'm looking forward to your inquires and opinions. Send 'em over. Rooms open in one week. To your questions ... Was the Flo deal a total valuation or just this round of funding? And either way, congrats! -- @JaroslavWrestle Foley: I can't tell you much more than what was reported by Fortune and what ran on the PR Newswire. Flocasts, the parent company of Flowrestling, earned a round of funding for $8 million from the venture capital (VC) firm Causeway Media Partners. The capital is likely to be used for further development of deals in the works and an expansion of roles across all their platforms, including Flowrestling. As discussed last week (with no insight on this deal), Flowrestling is arguably the wealthiest wrestling entity in the United States. Their cash and existing distribution and acquisition deals gives them immense power in directing the future of our sport. As you, I love wrestling. My job is to critique all elements of the sport, and increasingly that will mean the influence exerted by Austin on the future of our sport. Wrestling has always stood on a precipice of obliteration with little tangible profitable future. The consequences of ignorance and error have been elimination and the reward for hard work, minimal. Flowrestling's income, media activity and desire for future growth have created an opportunity for them to change wrestling's famine or subsistence paradigm. Austin can help our sport establish further cultural legitimacy, and as with any thought leader or economic leader they will need, at times, redirection from fans and media. Congrats to Austin. Q: What do you think of the policy adopted by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, which requires that boys on its school wrestling teams forfeit matches to girls? -- Tim K. Foley: I'm not an astute enough theologian to have any biblical-based insight for or against boys wrestling girls. The structure for my opinion comes from personal experience. From that I firmly believe that inclusionary policies teach our youth more than policies that exclude, limit and discriminate based on race, gender or religion. The dioceses' reasons are borne of an institution and not the heart of the individuals interested in the actual competition. A personal choice is something I can understand and mostly support. I'm not supportive of institutional policies that promote segregation and exclusion. Q: What is the outcome of all these kids and their phones? Will we lose wrestling as life becomes easier? -- Terry H. Foley: My favorite quote about wrestling remains: "Almost certainly wrestling is the oldest sport of mankind ... It came to town with the Olympiads of Ancient Greece and went back to the country after the decline of Rome -- there to remain, at least in greatest part, for nearly two thousand years. Preponderantly in and because of the country the sport has lived on in the general manner of pasture bluets, or field daisies, or other more or less global and substantially invincible wildflowers. Time and time again pasture bluets can be and have been burned away by the heavy hoofs or close-grazing herds. Yet with mystic stubbornness and effectiveness the pasture bluets somehow rise and bloom again. Wrestling is like that. It thrives, meets apparent destruction or widespread abandonment only to rise again, taking resurrection from a good and folkish earth. This has come to pass in many nations and it keeps happening in our own." -- Charles Morrow Wilson, The Magnificent Scufflers, 1959 So ... no. While sports like wrestling that include touch and perceived combat will always be replaced within cultures sensitive to a perception of barbarism, there is a growing recognition of wrestling's fundamental goodness. That written, today's twenty-somethings grew up with a megaton of positive affirmation -- meaningless participation ribbons and self-confidence that tops the world rankings. The thought of struggle, and loss, isn't appealing to many who can simply tweet out their negative feelings and receive back a virtual hug. There is a fear among "thinkers" that our new culture is becoming almost irreperably wussified. In his now viral piece on Generation Wuss, Bret Eaton Ellis eviscerates this lackluster group of young men and women for their inability to cope, to work, to tough out anything they find mildly displeasing. Wrestling teaches an individual how to cope and self-soothe. There are a myriad other lessons, but at the center of American wrestling is how to survive a daily combat routine. There will always be those who want that lifestyle and struggle, but over the years, the swing youths have disappeared or marched to sports with less individualism and responsibility. Less coping. Coaches are at the forefront of this battle. It might be worth asking them how they've dealt with a generation dependent on Facebook and Twitter conversation that affirm their worst tendencies. I'm sure their responses would shock us all. Q: On the international level, do countries try to recruit wrestlers from other countries to compete for them? Is there like a free agency market for wrestlers at the international level? -- Elbridge G. Foley: Absolutely. The wrestlers in Dagestan and the Ossetias are a hot commodity among gold-hungry wrestling countries and are often shipped overseas. The country with the most transfers is Azerbaijan, but you see Uzbekistan, Georgia, Turkey and Moldova take in several wrestlers as well. The policy regarding international transfers was made more simple last year. One transfer only and it can be immediate. No waiting period, which used to be at least two years. Countries may only take in one wrestler from each style per year and they must have at least working papers. This is the norm established by the IOC. There are no more transfer fees. I think that more American wrestlers should look at the idea of competing overseas. Nationalism is appealing, but information has crumbled cultural borders and there is nothing wrong with learning to experience the world stage, even with a flag other than the United States' on your back. Multimedia Halftime Link: USA vs. Serbia *One match, with the first period freestyle and the second Greco-Roman. Total score. As evidenced by the video, I've never wrestled Greco-Roman ... Link: 98-year-old judo black belt Link: BJJ with a wrestling influence Link: Wrestling mania in Senegal Link: Koreans wrestle in Switzerland Link: Spread of sumo Q: What is behind your mind-numbing hatred of football? -- Paul S. Foley: The games are too long, there isn't enough action and I can't celebrate a sport that is so obviously unhealthy for the majority of its participants. Three high school football players died this week. When three wrestlers died in 1998 due to a mixture of supplements and extreme weight loss, a special council overhauled the sport and changes were made to help curb unhealthy behavior. What has football done? Nothing. We don't ask it to change because we've allowed it to become of our life stories. The thought of proceeding through our existence without the team colors and the Sunday rituals is a horrifying consideration for most Americans. The reams of evidence showing the game is made unnecessarily dangerous by greed haven't been able to overcome the fear of many Americans that they will lose that connection to their tribe. There is rampant and dangerous incompetence among the commissioner, owners and several players and yet every Sunday Americans line up at bars and in homes to take in 10-plus hours of head-smashing humans and Doritos commercials. When football takes off the pads, quickens the pace of play and addresses its health crisis (with more than a few PSA's on the Toledo regional channel), maybe I'll tune in for the afternoon. Until then it's all wrestling, and the occasional Tottenham Hotspur match. Six Nations Rugby, too. Just as a note, it might be time for the Washington football team and owner Dan Snyder to read the tea leaves. When South Park eviscerates you in their season opener it doesn't bode well for future sustainability. The name will not last past this season. (My mom is a Washington fan. Sorry, Mom!) Q: You travel a lot. Any travel tips? -- Brian D. Foley: Plenty. I'll write a travel column for you guys in a few weeks. In the meantime check out this flight. Yowza. $23k for a commercial airline ticket!

Two UFCs, one Bellator, and a Battleground MMA tournament. All of that will go down in just over a 24 hour period this weekend, and your favorite podcast previews the action for each event. In fact, there is so much action coming, we didn't have time to reflect on the much anticipated and very entertaining UFC 178 card. That's for the best, since Joe Rogan and company equaled any of the most biased and painful commentary episodes from Jim Lampley and HBO in their nonstop showering of praise for anything and everything about Conor McGregor. Seriously, it was bad. There was a Michael Jordan reference (nice job, Goldberg). I mean, McGregor is good, but settle down, folks. Not to mention we at the MMA Outsider have determined that McGregor probably didn't invent the glancing-elbow-behind-the-ear-because-the-punch-missed move. Also, for everyone pondering whether Conor McGregor is the second coming, MMA still isn't as big as we'd like to think. Otherwise Yoel Romero's stool would've been a front page meme on Reddit. Anyway, end rant, start podcast. Do you want to listen to a past episode? Access archives.

Jordan Oliver (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com) TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona State wrestling head coach Zeke Jones announced on Thursday that two-time NCAA Champion Jordan Oliver will join the coaching staff for the 2014-15 season. “Jordan brings a tremendous amount of expertise to the program,” Jones said. “He is in contention to be a world and Olympic champion, and will be able to mentor our student-athletes at the highest level because of his experience working with the best athletes and coaches in the world.” Oliver, who will be a volunteer assistant for the Sun Devils, was a standout from the Oklahoma State wrestling program, where he won NCAA titles in 2011 and 2013 at 133 pounds and 149 pounds, respectively, going 38-0 during his senior campaign. A four-time All-American and Cowboy record holder for pins with 54, Oliver is in his second year with USA Wrestling, where he stands as the No. 2 wrestler at 65 kilos, and was sixth at the 2014 US Open. “He gives us a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience,” Jones added. “He wrestles in the middle weights, but he will be able to help mentor our wrestlers no matter the weight class. He’s an expert wrestler and I think he’s going to be a great addition to the program.” In 2013, Oliver finished third at the U. S. World Team Trials and second at the U.S. Open, and was third at the Junior World Championships in 2009. Oliver, a three-time Pennsylvania State Champion in high school, and four-time Pennsylvania Triple-A finalist, amassed a 175-5 record while competing for Easton High School. He was also a two-time National Freestyle Champion, once as a cadet and once as a junior. The first opportunity to see the Sun Devils in the 2014-15 season will be on Saturday, Oct. 25 with the Maroon and Gold Intersquad. Time and location are TBA.

Nick Gwiazdowski (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine) MANHEIM, Pa. -- The fifth matchup released by the National Wrestling Coaches Association for the upcoming All-Star Classic will be a good one. Returning NCAA Division I heavyweight champion Nick Gwiazdowski of N.C. State will take on three-time All-American Mike McMullan of Northwestern at the NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps and the Wrestlers in Business Network hosted by Penn and WIBN-Philadelphia on November 1 at the Palestra on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. McMullan is looking to break an All-Star slump of sorts. The Easton, Pennsylvania native will be making his third straight appearance in the event. He lost to two-time NCAA champion Tony Nelson of Minnesota last season at George Mason University and fell to Missouri’s Dom Bradley by a point a year prior at American University. Gwiazdowski, a two-time All-American who redshirted in 2012-13 after transferring from Binghamton, where he finished eighth in 2012 at the NCAA Division I Championships, will be the third N.C. State heavyweight to wrestle in the event. Gwiazdowski hails from Duanesburg, New York. The pair have split matches against one another during their collegiate careers. McMullan took a 2012 matchup 5-3 in the consolation quarterfinals at the NCAA Division I Championships in St. Louis, Missouri, while last season, Gwiazdowski topped McMullen 5-3 in sudden victory in a dual meet. McMullan comes in with a 71-20 overall record, including a 20-5 record last year. Gwiazdowski is 73-11 in two full seasons of college wrestling including a 43-2 record last season. "When you talk about the current crop of heavyweight wrestlers, you see a lot more athletic, active wrestlers around the mats. Nick Gwiazdowski and Mike McMullan are two of those gifted big guys," said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "Mike McMullan has been in the event on two other occasions, so it’s obviously a big deal for him to try to win, while Gwiazdowski comes in as the king of the mountain to start the year. Everyone’s going to want to try to knock him off." Wolfpack wrestlers have competed in the event on eight occasions, holding a 3-5 overall mark. But of the now nine appearances, it will be the fifth time an N.C. State heavyweight takes to the mat. The late Tab Thacker split to matches after he appeared in 1983 and 1984, while Sylvester Terkay was 2-0 in his career at the All-Star Classic, with a notable win coming over Olympic champion Rulon Gardner in 1993 when the event was held at Lehigh. Northwestern first appeared in the event in 1968 when Russ Schnieder competed at 160 pounds in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Overall, Wildcat wrestlers have appeared 14 times with a 5-9 overall record. Jason Welch was the last Wildcat to win a match at the All-Star Classic, beating American’s Ganbayar Sanjaa 8-5 at 157 pounds in Tempe, Arizona in 2011. To purchase tickets to the event, click here for the Penn Athletic Ticket Office. Follow on Social Media! For more information on the All-Star Classic, visit www.theallstarclassic.com and follow the NWCA on Facebook and Twitter. Fans can join the discussion with the #NWCAClassic hashtag. Fans should keep an eye on the discussion as there will be contests and interactive discussions about the event via Twitter and Facebook! Competing wrestlers will be eligible for the Outstanding Wrestler Award, presented by the Wrestlers in Business Network - Atlanta Chapter. Announced matchups: 125: Nahshon Garrett, Jr. (Cornell) vs. Joey Dance, So. (Virginia Tech) 133: A.J. Schopp, Sr. (Edinboro) vs. Mason Beckman, Jr. (Lehigh) 141: 149: 157: James Green, Sr. (Nebraska) vs. Ian Miller, Jr. (Kent State) 165: 174: 184: Gabe Dean, So. (Cornell) vs. Jack Dechow, So. (Old Dominion) 197: 285: Nick Gwiazdowski, Jr. (N.C. State) vs. Mike McMullan, Sr. (Northwestern) Showcase matchups to be announced About the NWCA Founded in 1928, the NWCA strives to promote and provide leadership for the advancement of amateur wrestling, primarily at the scholastic and collegiate levels. The association is headquartered in Manheim Pa. The three core competencies are coaching development, student-wrestler welfare, and promotion/advocacy. The NWCA has 10,000 members and educational programs that serve 230,000 students each year. www.nwcaonline.com NWCA on Facebook | NWCA on Twitter About the University of Pennsylvania Established in 1740, the University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League research university located in Philadelphia. Incorporated as The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn is one of 14 founding members of the Association of American Universities and is one of the nine original Colonial Colleges. The school was founded by Ben Franklin. Penn is ranked among the top research universities in the world. About Wrestlers in Business/Wrestlers in Business Philadelphia The Group Wrestlers in Business is a non-profit organization that strives to unite the thousands of wrestlers that have retired from the sport and are now in their respective careers. It started as a networking group on LinkedIn. Since then, the group has evolved into a more prominent, member-focused organization that cares about supporting current & former wrestlers and the sport. Their mission is to establish a community of wrestlers who commonly share in the interest of helping each other in business and in life, while supporting and strengthening the sport that made us who we are today. www.wrestlersinbusiness.org Wrestlers in Business Philadelphia is a newly formed group who will kick-off their Chapter events with a Social Event in September followed by All-Star Classic. A 14-member Board has been elected led by President Anthony Stagliano and he is joined by distinguished names in the wrestling and business community including four members who have long ties to the University of Pennsylvania; Roger Reina who is playing a prominent role in the promotion of the All-Star Classic, Gary Baker, Andy Matter and Chris Hanlon. www.wrestlersinbusiness.org/chapters/philadelphia-pa About the United States Marine Corps On November 10, 1775, the Marine Corps was established by the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since then, the Marine Corps, through service on land, in air, and at sea, have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term "Marine" has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue. Whether facing our nation’s foes or conducting humanitarian relief and disaster recovery operations at home or abroad, today’s Marine Corps stands ready to continue in the same proud tradition of faithful service to the United States. For more information, visit www.Marines.com. About Rothman Institute Rothman Institute is a private orthopaedic practice dedicated to providing communities with high-quality, compassionate, and affordable musculoskeletal care that is grounded in evidence-based medicine, the results of which will exceed expectations. Rothman Institute orthopaedists treat patients at 20 locations in the Philadelphia-region, including orthopaedic urgent care clinics in Marlton, NJ and Limerick, PA. With experts in orthopaedic sub-specialties including spine, hip and knee, foot and ankle, shoulder and elbow, hand and wrist, sports medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, orthopaedic oncology and trauma, the Rothman Institute is internationally recognized for excellence in clinical treatment methods, research, education and technology. Consistently recognized as national and regional "Top Docs," the Rothman Institute is proud to be official team physicians for several professional, college and high school teams. For more information about the Rothman Institute please call 1-800-321-9999 or visit www.RothmanInstitute.com.

The Fight Network presents Takedown Radio broadcasting from the Brute Studios as Kemin Industries and 04 Water/Blue 04 Water introduces Takedown Wrestling Radio, taking the pulse of America's sport! Join Scott Casber, Tim Harms, Tony Hager and Brad Johnson this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. CT/ 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST live on KXNO.com, TakedownRadio.com and iHeartradio.com. Enter our Super Sunday Singlet giveaway for a chance to win a singlet every Sunday of the year by following us on Facebook at facebook.com/TakedownWrestling and on Twitter at @Takedownradio This week Takedown is on the road at Van Meter, Iowa and the Legends Field House. 9:00 a.m. Jim Zalesky 9:15 a.m. Kevin Jackson 9:35 a.m. Trent Paulson 10:00 a.m. Angel Escobedo 10:20 a.m. Garett Kiley 10:35 a.m. Staff of Van Meter High School and wrestlers Fans, athletes, coaches: This is your sport. Join in the conversation live. Ask questions. Call 866-333-5966 or 515-204-5966. Takedown Wrestling is available on radio on AM 1460 KXNO in Iowa, online at Livesportsvideo.com, or on your Blackberry or iPhone with the iHeart Radio app. (Click on KXNO under Sportsradio.)

Zeke Jones spent 5 1/2 years (2008-2014) as Team USA's head freestyle coach before returning to his alma mater, Arizona State, to become the program's seventh head wrestling coach this past April. InterMat caught up with Jones and talked to him about the present and future of the Sun Devil wrestling program, what change could help college wrestling, Team USA's performance at the World Championships and more. Zeke Jones (Photo/Sun Devil Athletics)You're back in college coaching for the first time since 2007. What has changed? Jones: For me it's just catching up on basic operational stuff ... recruiting, logistics, operations, compliance ... the nuts and bolts of running a collegiate program. I kind of joke, the one rule for the Olympic program is 'win.' In college it's 'win plus.' Win plus run your program responsibly and compliantly. You're still leading young men. They're a little younger and certainly still formulating their adult thoughts and opinions, and the kind of people they're going to be. Wrestling is still wrestling. The goal is still the same. We want to help guys get on top of the podium and certainly want to help them get their college educations and continue to still work through the college program both academically and athletically. What has been the biggest surprise since arriving in Tempe? Jones: I would say the pleasant surprise has been recruiting. It has gone exceptionally well. I wasn't sure that we would get to pick before schools like Penn State, Minnesota and Oklahoma State. Usually they pick and then everybody else picks after them. That has been a pleasant surprise. One thing I didn't factor in as much as I should have is the love for wrestling in Arizona. For a good 20, 25 years there was a history and tradition of excellence of wrestling at all age groups. There are a lot of World and Olympic champions, medalists, national champions and All-Americans walking around this community. It's been dormant, but now it's a loud thunder around the community. Have there been any roadblocks with the changes in the athletic administration at ASU? Jones: No, we haven't really run into any roadblocks. Ray Anderson, new athletic director, his first hire was wrestling, and he hired our senior associate athletic director who will ultimately be in charge of wrestling in the future, Scottie Graham. He's a New York high school state wrestling champion. So our athletic director puts his gear on and comes to practice. The president Dr. Crow was a wrestler when he was a young man. So we're really vertically aligned within our university and our athletic department for the sport of wrestling, and I know that has been a huge help. Sunkist and Art Martori are excited about rejuvenating the regional training center here and changing the model that Sunkist will use, which will ultimately benefit those who live here in Tempe. Jordan Oliver talks with his U.S. coaches during the United 4 Wrestling event in LA (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)You added Chris Pendleton and Jordan Oliver to your coaching staff and Lee Pritts was retained. What went into the assembly of your coaching staff? Jones: It's pretty simple. We want to put a staff together that will help our young men graduate and do well academically, but also put them on the top of the NCAA, World and Olympic podium. I think between Jordan, Chris, and Lee you have a staff that is committed to a holistic approach, on the wrestling mat, in the classroom. They're good young men who are willing to roll their sleeves up and do the work to help them. I think we have the right blend of experience, youth, energy, relevancy ... and certainly have achieved at the highest levels in the collegiate realm and the world and Olympic realm. You have talked about the importance of building a strong regional training site at Arizona State with wrestlers training for World and Olympic titles. How are things progressing with the regional training site? Jones: It's going well. We've got four athletes and we're pretty close to five. We have Jordan Oliver. Tyrell Fortune will be training here at the Sunkist Regional Training Center. He's a University World champion and on the national team, and certainly a good young prospect for America. And then we've added two women. Helen Maroulis, of course was third this year, and then Kelsey Campbell, who was in the finals of the Trials this year. That will be the start of our nucleus. Our plan is to have 8, 10, 12 athletes living and training here on a year-round full-time basis. In our short period of time since the summer I think we've had some good additions and we're only going to continue to grow and expand. Oliver Pierce transferred from Oklahoma to Arizona State. What kind of impact do you expect him to make in your program? Jones: First off, he's a great young man and a super leader. He likes structure. He likes a heavy training load. He likes intensity. He's got fire in his wrestling. So I think it's a good match for us, and in particular me. We picked up four great transfers. Christian Pagdilao was a state champ who beat Valencia. He was at Michigan State and came here. Judson Preskitt was at Minnesota and transferred here. Dalton Brady made his way back home. He went up to Utah Valley and is back. He was fifth in the Cadet Worlds. He had a great high school career. All four of those guys were redshirts last year. Oliver certainly comes from a good family and a hard-working wrestling program. He demands excellence of himself. He's thinking high on the podium, and that's great. That's what we want to see. No. 1 recruit Anthony Valencia has committed to Arizona State, along with four other recruits ranked in the top 30 (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Arizona State has received verbal commitments from five of the top 30 recruits in the country. How do you feel about your recruiting efforts since arriving in Tempe? Jones: I think it's going well. Our goal is pretty simple when it comes to recruiting. We want to recruit the best young men in America. What that means is those that are committed to the total effort. We want to have great students who achieve high goals academically and get a world-class wrestling experience, and get on top of as many podiums as they can. I think we've been able to establish that the best kids in the country are looking at Arizona State University because they realize that they can achieve all those goals. They see that Arizona State isn't a four or five-year commitment, but it's really an eight to ten-year commitment where they come and win national championships and get a great undergraduate education. Those that aspire to be World or Olympic champions and get their master's degree or their Ph.D, they can do that here. There is really no ceiling in the program. As good as they want become, they can. Some wrestlers win a national championship and want to be a World and Olympic champion, and they look around and don't see anyone that can help them do that. Then they've got to move. Well, obviously here they're in the environment for it where they'll have world-class coaching, training partners and resources to be successful. There's a reason why the very best kids in the country are visiting Arizona State and committing to Arizona State. They want to be the best in the country and the best in the world. That's the kind of program we want to be here at Arizona State, so we have a mutual goal. We're going to attract those types of kids, those that want to be the best in the country and the world. That's the kind of program we want to be, so it seems to be a pretty good marriage between their goals and ours. Zeke Jones spent 5 1/2 years as Team USA's head freestyle coach (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)What's your philosophy on redshirting student-athletes? Jones: It's to do the best thing for the student-athlete and the best thing for the program. I think you look at it individually -- what works for that student-athlete -- and what's the goal of the team. I have watched teams on a title run pull somebody out of redshirt in February because they need the additional points to win the NCAAs. That makes sense to me. If we're not in the title run, then we're building toward a title run in a particular year or two or three. So maybe we take our time developing that person so that when they finally get in the lineup they're ready to go. I do think sometimes it's good for kids to go in right away if it makes sense ... if physically and emotionally they're ready to go, they've demonstrated success and ultimately the team needs them. But usually there's a pretty big gap between the maturity of 17 or 18-year-old and a 23-year-old. Redshirting early seems to always make sense. This past season Arizona State finished fourth at the Pac-12 Championships and had one NCAA qualifier. What are your expectations this season for the program? Jones: The goal for the season is always to improve each and every day. We want to get better. We want to make sure that we're taking the steps to make each individual on the team better and the collective better as well. Right now we're instilling a culture that is a very hard-working, disciplined, dedicated, sacrificing team -- making the sacrifices each and every day that help us climb up the podium. In our schoolwork, study hall and schedule, it's a very structured environment, including our wrestling in practice. We're wrestling with a discipline that is going to help us win matches and instilling a championship culture where the expectation is high, that we want to be the best in the country. We're going to do the work that is required. We're going put in the time and the effort that is required. But ultimately to do that they've got love what they're doing. They've got to have fun. They've got to know that the sacrifices they make today will pay off for them tomorrow. The emotional focus is not too high one day and too low another ... It's steady and consistent each and every day. The wrestling season is not a sprint ... It's a marathon. It's about being smart about how we train and how we prepare ... the minutes that we put in. Everything we do is for a reason. I'm pleasantly happy because I'm not surprised that this group here has done those things. The effort is good. The focus is good. The discipline is good. When you have a team that does those things day in and day out, that's when improvement starts to occur. I like where we're at right now. Zeke Jones and Brandon Slay talk with Clayton Foster at the World Cup (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Do you have a timeline on when you would like to see Arizona State in contention for an NCAA team title? Jones: I don't put a timeline on it. But I think what we all do is each day make an effort to improve. Improvement happens sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly. In discussions about the program with the athletic director and the president of the university, the great thing is more than anything we're going to do it the right way. As we do it the right way, then that's the best way and it will happen on its own timeline. Of course like anything we want things faster than slower. But we understand that sometimes making those deposits in a better fashion -- making sure we're doing it the right way -- sometimes comes a little slower. We're going to work as hard to do it as fast as we can, but recognize doing it the right way might take a little longer. There has been a lot of discussion about stalling in college wrestling and rule changes. In your opinion, what is one change you would like to see to college wrestling that could help the sport? Jones: No doubt the edge-of-the-mat rule. You can call it pushout, but I can tell you, I run the numbers, both folkstyle and freestyle. In the freestyle version, in my mind it's not the pushout rule. It's the stay-on-the-mat rule. You can't go out of bounds in freestyle without a steep penalty. I've been breaking down the NCAA championship video right now, and wrestlers just go off the mat way too much. They use the out of bounds to eliminate scoring, where in freestyle the edge of the mat creates scoring. I would love to see some form of a stay-on-the-mat rule, or like most people call it the pushout rule. I think it has been great for freestyle wrestling. The edge of the mat helps create points. It doesn't take away points. I think that would be the best thing we could do for folkstyle wrestling. Not only would it help folkstyle wrestling, it would give America a better chance to win World and Olympic gold medals. So it's a win-win if you ask me. U.S. coaches Mark Manning and Zeke Jones celebrate with Jordan Burroughs after the gold-medal match at the 2012 Olympic Games in London (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)This year is the first year since 2009 that you have not been the head coach for Team USA at the World Championships. Jordan Burroughs and Tervel Dlagnev won bronze medals, but the team finished ninth in the team standings. What was your takeaway from Team USA's performance at the World Championships? Jones: I know they're going to come back hungry. Obviously, they didn't perform as well as they wanted. I love those guys. I miss them each and every day. When they lose it cuts me in the stomach. That's a real resilient group. I've watched them have bad tournaments before in the past. One thing they're good at is bouncing back. It's hard to hold an American down each and every day. Eventually we're going to fight back and we're going to climb and scratch our way back up on top. I think it's the little things they need to work on. I think some of the basic freestyle ... pushout, controlling the tieup, lead management, offense, defense-type drills and skills that if they put a little more time into they can turn a lot of those close losses into close and big wins. Two years until the Olympics, there is certainly time. Like anything we don't want to wait. We want to make it happen now. But I don't think they're far off. With a few adjustments I think they'll get there.

MANHEIM, Pa. -- Two of the most entertaining wrestlers in the nation will square off at 157 pounds at the NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps and the Wrestlers in Business Network hosted by Penn and WIBN-Philadelphia on November 1 at the Palestra on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. James Green defeated Ian Miller to place third at the 2014 NCAAs (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)All-Americans James Green of Nebraska and Ian Miller of Kent State will step to the line at 157 pounds in what could be a preview of the NCAA Division I championship finals. Green, a native of Willingboro, New Jersey, comes into this season as a three-time All-American and recently competed for Team USA as part of the University World Team that competed in Hungary back in July where he won a silver medal. Green finished third last year at 157 pounds after entering the tournament as the top seed after winning his first Big Ten Championship. He'd previously placed seventh on two occasions for the Huskers. Green went 35-2 in 2013-14 and has a career collegiate mark of 94-17. Miller, from Oak Harbor, Ohio, will be the first wrestler from Kent State to appear in the All-Star Classic since Nic Bedelyon represented the Golden Flashes at 125 pounds in 2011 in Tempe, Arizona. Miller won the Mid-American Conference championship last season, his first since moving up from 149 pounds after he redshirted in 2012-13. Miller comes into the season with a career record of 60-11, going 31-6 in 2013-14. The two met once last season, with Green scoring a decisive 13-1 major decision in the third-place match at 157 pounds in Oklahoma City. Combined, the two earned 35 bonus victories with Miller earning 10 falls and Green picking up 10 major decisions. Green's participation in the All-Star Classic will mark the 22nd time a Husker has wrestled in the event, but the first since 2009. Nebraska holds an overall record of 11-10 individually with the two most recent wins coming in 2009 at Fullerton, California where Jordan Burroughs and Stephen Dwyer earned individual victories. Also in 2009, Craig Brester competed at 197 pounds. Miller joins Bedelyon as the only wrestlers in Kent State history to compete in the event. Bedelyon gave Kent State the program's first win in 2009 with a 7-3 victory over Jarrod Patterson of Oklahoma. "Wrestlers from Nebraska have continually been involved in the All-Star Classic since 1983," said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "It's been a few years since we've been able to have wrestlers from Mark Manning's program compete in the event, while this is only Kent State's second-ever appearance. This type of matchup shows how diverse the talent is within Division I wrestling as you've got a wrestler from the nation's toughest conference -- the Big Ten -- and one from one of the rising forces in wrestling -- the MAC. Despite the outcome the last time these two wrestled, I believe the fans will enjoy the show James Green and Ian Miller will put on at the Palestra." To purchase tickets to the event, click here for the Penn Athletic Ticket Office. Follow on Social Media! For more information on the All-Star Classic, visit www.theallstarclassic.com and follow the NWCA on Facebook and Twitter. Fans can join the discussion with the#NWCAClassic hashtag. Fans should keep an eye on the discussion as there will be contests and interactive discussions about the event via Twitter and Facebook! Competing wrestlers will be eligible for the Outstanding Wrestler Award, presented by the Wrestlers in Business Network - Atlanta Chapter. Announced matchups: 125: Nahshon Garrett, Jr. (Cornell) vs. Joey Dance, So. (Virginia Tech) 133: A.J. Schopp, Sr. (Edinboro) vs. Mason Beckman, Jr. (Lehigh) 141: 149: 157: James Green, Sr. (Nebraska) vs. Ian Miller, Jr. (Kent State) 165: 174: 184: Gabe Dean, So. (Cornell) vs. Jack Dechow, So. (Old Dominion) 197: 285: Showcase matchups to be announced

Grand Canyon head wrestling coach Jon Sioredas announced the addition of Mark Ellis and Brian Stith to his initial coaching staff at GCU. Sioredas, who became the program's head coach in August, is leading the Antelopes into their second year at the NCAA Division I level. "I am excited to announce the hiring of two superstar coaches. Both coach Ellis and coach Stith have not only competed on the big stage, but have also coached Top 10 programs," said Sioredas. "The experience these two bring to Grand Canyon University is immeasurable. Both wrestled on ESPN Prime Time Saturday night in front of millions of people. Having been there at the highest collegiate level is huge in getting our guys to buy into what is needed to be done," added the head coach. Ellis, a 2009 NCAA National Champion at the University of Missouri, has joined GCU as head assistant coach. He comes to GCU after serving as an assistant coach at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Missouri. In 2013-14, Ellis was instrumental in the success at Chattanooga, helping guide the Mocs to a Top 20 dual meet ranking. In 2012-13, Ellis helped lead Missouri to a seventh place team finish with five All-Americans at the NCAA Division I National Tournament. Stith, a two-time All-American and National Finalist at Arizona State spent the previous seven seasons as an assistant at his alma mater. While coaching at ASU, Stith helped develop four NCAA All-Americans and two NCAA National Champions. In 2011, he helped guide the team to a sixth place finish at the NCAA tournament. "These guys understand the process of becoming great, both on the mat and in the classroom. More importantly, they understand the third dimension of coaching, which is coaching character," Sioredas said. The Antelopes begin their season with the annual Purple-Black Wrestle-Offs to be held outdoors on campus at the Promenade Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. For more on Sioredas and the program's upcoming season, click here for a video interview with GCU’s Michael Potter.

MANHEIM, Pa. -- The top two returning placewinners at 184 pounds from the 2013-14 season will meet at the NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps and the Wrestlers in Business Network hosted by Penn and WIBN-Philadelphia on November 1 at the Palestra on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. Cornell's Gabe Dean and Old Dominion's Jack Dechow finished third and fourth respectively at last year's NCAA Division I Championships in Oklahoma City at 184 pounds. Dean beat Dechow 5-4 in the third-place bout. Both wrestlers reached the semifinals as freshmen. Cornell's Gabe Dean finished third at the NCAAs this past season (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)"In a weight typically dominated by seniors, to have two highest returning placewinners coming back as just sophomores is amazing," said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "Not only are we starting the year off with a potential preview of the NCAA finals, we could see this for the next three years. I can't wait." Dean was impressive all season long, finishing the season 40-3. During his stellar freshman campaign, he ended the 84-match win streak of eventual three-time NCAA champion Ed Ruth of Penn State in the finals of the Southern Scuffle. Ruth would exact some revenge, beating Dean 5-3 in the NCAA semifinals. Dean's father Dave was a longtime assistant at Michigan State and was a two-time NCAA Division I All-American and two-time Big Ten champion at Minnesota. Of Dean's 40 wins 12 were by fall, five by technical fall and four came via major decision. He was also an NWCA All-Freshmen Academic Team member. Dechow was a bit of an unknown entering the latter part of the 2013-14 season after missing a good stretch of the Old Dominion schedule with a high ankle sprain. Dechow broke out late in the year, beating Northern Iowa All-American Ryan Loder twice en route to the MAC championship. In Oklahoma City, the 13th-seeded Dechow upended fourth-seeded Max Thomusseit of Pittsburgh and then topped No. 12 Ophir Bernstein of Brown to reach the semifinals where he would eventually fall to Maryland's Jimmy Sheptock 3-2. He finished the season 21-6. Cornell has been represented in the All-Star Classic 13 times, holding a 6-7 overall record. Dean and teammate Nahshon Garrett's appearances will mark the 14th and 15th time Cornell wrestlers compete in the event. Dechow will be the first Monarch to compete in the event since James Nicholson competed in 2009 at 125 pounds. Nicholson wrestled in the event twice. Dechow will try to become the first Monarch to win at the All-Star Classic in ODU's fourth overall apperance. Wayne Bright was the first Old Dominion wrestler to appear in the All-Star Classic, losing to Iowa State's Dan Gable in 1970. To purchase tickets to the event, click here for the Penn Athletic Ticket Office. Follow on Social Media! For more information on the All-Star Classic, visit www.theallstarclassic.com and follow the NWCA on Facebook and Twitter. Fans can join the discussion with the #NWCAClassic hashtag. Fans should keep an eye on the discussion as there will be contests and interactive discussions about the event via Twitter and Facebook! Competing wrestlers will be eligible for the Outstanding Wrestler Award, presented by the Wrestlers in Business Network - Atlanta Chapter. Announced matchups: 125: Nahshon Garrett, Jr. (Cornell) vs. Joey Dance, So. (Virginia Tech) 133: A.J. Schopp, Sr. (Edinboro) vs. Mason Beckman, Jr. (Lehigh) 141: 149: 157: 165: 174: 184: Gabe Dean, So. (Cornell) vs. Jack Dechow, So. (Old Dominion) 197: 285: Showcase matchups to be announced

With the high school wrestling season's start nearing, InterMat is taking readers across the United States of America on a tour of scholastic wrestling. From mid-August until mid-November, InterMat is introducing readers to the top high school senior wrestlers in the 49 states with scholastic wrestling. Corey Haddad looks at the top senior wrestlers in Pennsylvania. Regarded as the most competitive state for high school wrestling, this year's senior class in Pennsylvania totals only three state championships and five runner-up finishes. What may be lacking in star power, is a deep group of finely skilled wrestlers who have the potential to be All-Americans as NCAA student-athletes. This list is not rated by accomplishments, but instead how their style and intangibles translate to collegiate competition. Here are the Top 10 prospects in the state of Pennsylvania for the 2015 senior class. 1. Vincenzo Joseph (Pittsburgh Central Catholic) Projected High School Weight Class: 145 Projected College Weight Class: 149 College Commitment: Penn State Vincenzo Joseph (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Words from the Corner: "One of things he does very well is that he can always wrestle his style no matter who he competes against. Also, he can wrestle well in all three positions; top, bottom and neutral, which will help when he competes in collegiate level. I believe his work ethic and attitude will help him at the next level. He always wants to get better and he loves the sport." -- Sunny Abe, Pittsburgh Central Catholic head wrestling coach Career Highlights: 2014 Junior Nationals freestyle runner-up (145), 2013 7th (138) 2014 3A state champion (138), 2013 3rd (120), 2012 7th (106) 2013 Walsh Ironman 4th (145), 2012 8th (120), 2011 5th (106) 2013 POWERade 2nd (138), 2012 5th (120), 2011 champion (106) 2012 Cadet Nationals freestyle 5th (106) 2011 Beast of the East runner-up (106) 2. Michael Kemerer (Franklin Regional) Projected High School Weight Class: 145/152 Projected College Weight Class: 157/165 College Choices (listed alphabetically): Cornell, Iowa, Lehigh, Stanford Michael Kemerer (Photo/Rob Preston)Words from the Corner: "Mike is still very much in a growth spurt. He is similar to a young David Taylor coming out of high school because he looks very young for his age and he is definitely going to keep gaining weight as he physically matures. Mike is a three-positional wrestler who thrives on his feet as well as the mat. He wrestles a style of wrestling where he is constantly looking to score and build his lead. There are multiple reasons why he is an elite wrestler: great work ethic, student of the sport, and is as clean cut as you can come. He is a very bright young man who possesses the skills to be successful after his wrestling career is finished. All of this makes him the kind of kid you hope your son grows up to be like." -- John Strittmatter, Young Guns Wrestling Club coach Career Highlights: 2014 3A state runner-up (138), 2013 runner-up (126), 2012 runner-up (106) 2014 Junior Nationals freestyle 5th (145), 2013 7th (132) 2013 Super 32 Challenge runner-up (132), 2012 runner-up (126), 2011 champion (106) 2013 Walsh Ironman runner-up (138), 2012 6th (126) 2013 POWERade champion (138), 2012 runner-up (126), 2011 champion (113) 2012 Cadet Nationals freestyle 5th (120) 3. Josh Shields (Franklin Regional) Projected High School Weight Class: 160/170 Projected College Weight Class: 157/165 College Commitment: Arizona State Words from the Corner: "Josh is successful because of his work ethic, conditioning, heavy hands and incredible hips. He is always giving one-hundred percent in whatever he does; lifting or wrestling. He is constantly pushing himself to complete exhaustion in the practice room which ends up providing him incredible match-time conditioning. He will be successful at the next level because he understands the importance of positioning and hand fighting. He always has his hands on his opponents, wearing them down and takes advantage of it in the second and third period (where he scores) most of his points. Josh also has excellent workout partners in the room as well in Josh Maruca and Michael Kemerer. Shields is also a great role model volunteering at our youth practices and is very involved in his youth group." -- Eric Mausser, Franklin Regional head wrestling coach Career Highlights: 2014 Junior Nationals freestyle 3rd (152) 2014 3A state runner-up (152), 2013 3rd (145), 2012 6th (132) 2013 POWERade champion (152), 2012 champion (145), 2011 4th (132) 2013 FloNationals 3rd (145) 2013 Walsh Ironman 6th (152), 2012 6th (145) 2012 Cadet Nationals freestyle 5th (138) 4. A.C. Headlee (Waynesburg) Projected High School Weight Class: 132 Projected College Weight Class: 133/141 College Commitment: North Carolina Words from the Corner: "Very good on his feet, tough on top, and can get out on most people (from bottom). He (goes for the pin) and is a great student (with a 3.9 GPA). A.C. is a hard worker, mentally tough, and a leader in the room (as team captain). Headlee loves freestyle, wrestles year-round, and (puts in extra) work after practice. He hates to lose and seeks partners in the room that will push him." -- Joe Throckmorton, Waynesburg head wrestling coach Career Highlights: 2014 Junior Nationals freestyle 3rd (132) 2014 3A state 3rd (126), 2013 6th (113) 2014 FloNationals 3rd (126) 2013 POWERade 3rd (126), 2012 3rd (113), 2011 3rd (106) 2013 Beast of the East 3rd (126), 2012 4th (113) 5. Sam Krivus (Hempfield Area) Projected High School Weight Class: 132/138 Projected College Weight Class: 133/141 College Commitment: Virginia Words from the Corner: "Sam has the most natural talent of any wrestler I have coached in the past ten years. His mat awareness and ability to quickly learn new techniques will make him a serious threat to win multiple national titles for the University of Virginia." -- Vince DeAugustine, Hempfield Area head wrestling coach Career Highlights: 2014 3A state 4th (126), 2013 champion (120), 2012 3rd (113) 2014 FloNationals champion (126), 2013 champion (120), 2012 4th (113) 2013 Super 32 Challenge champion (132), 2012 champion (120), 2011 6th (113) 2013 POWERade runner-up (132), 2012 runner-up (120), 2011 3rd (113) 6. Josh Maruca (Franklin Regional) Projected High School Weight Class: 145/152 Projected College Weight Class: 149/157 College Commitment: Arizona State Words from the Corner: "The skills Josh brings to the table are extremely unique. Not only does he have the ability to score at will, if he chooses to, but he can scramble with the best of them. His defense and top work is incredible and in the practice room and on the mat he's one tough dude. Josh's mindset and mentality is what sets him apart from his opponents, though. When he steps on the mat and is ready to roll, he's unbeatable. He loves being in the dog fights too and has no problem gritting out a tough win. I know Josh will be successful at the college level. His dedication and mindset to the sport of wrestling and training will allow him to become a national champion and more if he chooses to do so. I wish him the best of luck this year and sure will miss him and the rest of the Panther crew next year!" -- Mike Corcetti, Franklin Regional assistant wrestling oach Career Highlights: 2014 Junior Nationals freestyle 3rd (145) 2014 3A state 3rd (145), 2013 5th (138), 2012 5th (126) 2013 POWERade runner-up (145), 2012 4th (138), 2011 4th (126) 2012 Walsh Ironman 7th (138) 2012 Super 32 Challenge 6th (132) 2012 Cadet Nationals freestyle 3rd (132) 7. Patrick Duggan (Cumberland Valley) Projected High School Weight Class: 152/160 Projected College Weight Class: 149/157 College Commitment: West Virginia Words from the Corner: "One of Patrick's biggest attributes is his phenomenal strength and mat awareness. He is pound-for-pound the strongest wrestler I have ever coached. This summer Patrick became a Fargo (Junior freestyle) All-American and continuously works to improve his skills on the mat. We are expecting big things from Patrick as a senior and a leader on what could be a very talented Cumberland Valley team." -- Dave Heckard, Cumberland Valley head wrestling coach Career Highlights: 2014 3A state 3rd (138), 2013 runner-up (132), 2012 4th (126) 2014 Junior Nationals freestyle 8th (145) 2013 Beast of the East runner-up (145), 2012 3rd (138), 2011 7th (132) 2013 Super 32 Challenge 3rd (138) 2012 Cadet Nationals freestyle runner-up (138) 8. Jan Johnson (Governor Mifflin) Projected High School Weight Class: 195 Projected College Weight Class: 197 College Commitment: Akron (Football) Words from the Corner: "Jan is a very good student who leads a clean life, makes good choices and can lead others with his words and actions. Because he plays several sports, Jan is competitive and has a good sense of how to prepare for a match and the stresses that go with winning and losing. He is team oriented. Most guys strive to be solid in all three phases of wrestling, neutral, top and bottom. Jan also excels in what I think of as the fourth area -- that is awareness and use of time and mat space. Jan has a solid offensive skill set but also knows how to be stingy and minimize his opponents to scoring opportunities." -- Ralph Voit, Governor Mifflin head wrestling coach Career Highlights: 2014 3A state champion (195), 2013 3rd (195) Accepted a scholarship to play football at Akron for Terry Bowden, where he will play linebacker. Before deciding on football, Johnson was considering Army, Navy, Penn State, and Stanford to wrestle collegiately. 9. L.J. Barlow (Haverford School) Projected High School Weight Class: 195 Projected College Weight Class: 197 College Choices: Cornell, Harvard, Pennsylvania, and Princeton Words from the Corner: "L.J. has been successful because he is very strong and explosive and he maintains really good, solid position. He is really hard to score on and tough to hold down. He is very competitive and wants to beat every opponent he faces, which fuels his work ethic. He also maintains good nutrition and takes care of the little things that lead to success. He is a high character guy with a good moral compass that guides him through these complex years." -- Bruce Kennett, Haverford School head wrestling coach Career Highlights: 2014 National Prep championships runner-up (195), 2013 4th (195), 2012 3rd (182) 2013 Beast of the East champion (195) 2013 FloNationals 5th (195), 2012 5th (182) 10. Kellan Stout (Mt. Lebanon) Projected High School Weight Class: 182 Projected College Weight Class: 197 College Choices: Cornell, Lehigh, Penn State, Pitt Words from the Corner: "Kellan's biggest strength right now is that he is technically very sound and fundamentally solid in all areas. He keeps great position throughout matches, and has a tremendous amount of athleticism. Another thing that has made him successful is he isn't afraid to push the action and dictate the pace of his matches. He has high expectations for himself that continue to drive him in and outside of the season. He is an extremely focused individual when the lights go on and it is game time. As mentioned, Kellan is a tough wrestler but even more importantly he has matured into a great young man. He is very loyal to his teammates, has a good work ethic, and strives for excellence. These attributes will serve him well on the college level where we feel he will only continue to get better. Although, we had to change many of our record boards in the wrestling room the past few years because of his accomplishments, I honestly feel his best years are ahead of him." -- Bill Lewis, Mt. Lebanon head wrestling coach Career Highlights: 2014 3A state runner-up (182) 2013 POWERade Christmas Tournament runner-up (182)

LANCASTER, Pa. -- Franklin & Marshall's head wrestling coach Mike Rogers announced former Boston University standout Nestor Taffur as the Diplomats' new assistant coach. As a member of the staff, Taffur's duties will involve helping run all aspects of the program, including recruiting, scheduling practice plans and assisting with technique. His responsibilities will also contain a focus on developing the lighter weights and putting together an offseason competition and training program. Taffur comes to F&M after wrapping up his career on the mat at Boston University as one of the program's most successful grapplers. A four-year starter, Taffur went 119-47 as a member of the Terriers to become the all-time wins leader. The former 157-pound standout ranked as high as No. 4 in the nation for his weight class and wrapped up his senior season with a 37-4 record. He secured an EIWA title and fell just one win shy of All-America status with a 2-2 record at the 2014 NCAA Championships. "With Nestor just coming off competing in Division I and the EIWA Conference, he will bring a tone of energy and enthusiasm to our room," said Rogers. "He was a very accomplished athlete and a leader in the Boston program and I am looking for him to bring a new skill set to our program." A two-time team captain, Taffur was named the team's Most Valuable Performer in both his junior and senior seasons. He earned Boston's John B. Simpson Award, given to a male-athlete who demonstrated exceptional leadership, and was honored with the Male Student-Athlete of the Year Award following his junior season. "We are extremely fortunate to attract such a wonderful person, athlete, competitor and now coach to our program," said Rogers. "I believe he will bring us to a whole new level in the near future and this hire is yet another step in the right direction for this program." Taffur replaces former F&M assistant coach Matt Greenberg, who spent the previous five years on the staff and was instrumental in the renewed success of the program. He exits Lancaster in pursuit of earning his Ph. D. at the University of Illinois, where he will study sport management and was one of just two students accepted into the new Sports Research Lab program. "It was a very difficult decision for him to leave the F&M Family but he has our full support and we wish him all the luck," said Rogers. " He played such a vital role in building the program to where it is now and he will definitely be missed but not forgotten." Greenberg was involved in all aspects of the program with an emphasis on recruiting. He also served as the head coach of the 2013 U.S. Maccabi wrestling team that competed in Israel.

Earlier this week Flowrestling announced the formation of the Flo Premier League, an amateur wrestling league with five scheduled events in 2014 and 2015. Ben Askren currently fights in ONE FCThe league, which utilizes an adapted freestyle/folkstyle hybrid rule set, will be led by two-time NCAA champion and 2008 Olympian Ben Askren, who will help orchestrate bouts under his role as league commissioner. Events will be broadcast on Flo, likely behind their paywall. Will the league be successful? Will it be "good for wrestling"? As a point of reference, the success rate for non-professional American wrestling leagues is zero. As in, literally not a single wrestling league still exists in the United States. If you want to make money starting a business you'd have a much easier time opening a vegetarian restaurant in Billings, Montana, than you would starting a wrestling league in the contiguous forty-eight. Why? Hubris. Each major wrestling league attempted over the past twenty years has thought they could do it better than what was already available to the public and used a hybrid set of rules. Real Pro Wrestling couldn't connect with fans despite having a number of popular stars and top-notch production quality. Agon built their matches into existing events and had live streaming, and still they sit on the wayside of the discussion in either prolonged hibernation or early extinction. Both these leagues had money and with that created new rules, which is akin to creating a new sport. There are successful wrestling leagues in other countries, in both traditional and Olympic styles. Last week, I watched yokozuna sumo wrestler Hakuh? Sh? -- along with thirty other competitors -- compete at the Ryougoku Sumo Hall in Tokyo. There were 7000+ people on hand to watch him wrestle, which is not bad for a Saturday at 4 p.m., however it's more impressive when you consider that the same number that show up every day for 15 straight days, six times a year. They do so because Sumo it's simple, it's popular worldwide and, objectively, awesome. Olympic styles enjoy prosperity, too. Bundesliga is wildly successful at marketing freestyle and Greco-Roman in Germany, with wrestlers from around the world being placed on teams and competing in front of rowdy fans. The Iranian Wrestling League features freestyle wrestling and pays out large sums of money to winners from Dagestan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran and other countries. Attendance usually crests 10k fans per event. Can't America do the same? Flo is arguably the wealthiest wrestling entity in America in terms of revenue earned and that's not a small thing. By wading into a professional league they could change the fortunes of professional amateur wrestling in America. Except the current model isn't appreciative of the existing realities and ignores historical precedent, current successful leagues in-play around the world because they are choosing to proceed with a league that is neither American folkstyle nor an Olympic style. According to their release, the FPL will use "Tirapelle Rules," which were developed by 2001 NCAA champion wrestler Adam Tirapelle. "The rules bridge the gap between freestyle and folkstyle," Askren wrote to me this week. "I think it allows us to use post-collegiate athletes who don't compete in freestyle as well as MMA fighters." The main thrust of the rules comes from the distaste for international rules which Askren thinks change too often, and Tirapelle thinks can be improved. By creating a third brand of wrestling the hope is that the league can attract big names after they're done competing in folkstyle and freestyle, namely MMA fighters like Bubba Jenkins and the horde of assistant coaches around the country. From those ranks he believes the new style will create something sustainable. That won't happen. Most fighters are not in wrestling shape (the indomitable Askren excluded) and won't invest in the proper training to excel in the new style. Serious, attention-grabbing freestyle wrestlers are better served training and competing in overseas events to help their chances come September. Most assistant wrestling coaches are too busy teaching moves, recruiting and filing paperwork to give much time to the strategies necessary to excel in a new sport. The Tirapelle Rules also ignore the wild popularity of the new freestyle rules and the increased attention being paid to Olympic-style wrestling. Askren says he still believes that freestyle rules are too complicated for Americans to understand and that his style will be easier to follow. Again, the logic is flawed since the fans they're targeting are behind the Flo paywall. These are lifers and if they watched even some of the recent World Championships must understand the freestyle rules. Askren maintains that they do not. A league with a third set of rules won't work. The premise of a third set will immediately eliminate the potential for compelling post-World's international matchups, limit the number of current top freestyle names from the USA willing to compete and not provide the benefit of real simplicity (takedown-only), which would appeal to a true general audience. If the FPL wants to increase the competitiveness of America's freestyle wrestlers, engage with more fans and create a sustainable long-term model then they should move over to freestyle rules. The events would help educate the American audience, attracts big name international wrestlers for major events (Denis Tsargush vs. Jordan Burroughs) and in doing so make Flo a more competitive international presence. I wish the FPL, Askren and Flo the best of luck and I will likely tune in for a match, but a third style of wrestling in the United States is still not an economically viable option for growing a wrestling league. Unfortunately, this league, like the dozens before it, will unceremoniously fold and fade into history, leaving Americans without a professional outlet for the world's greatest sport. To your questions ... Q: What do you think of Conor McGregor? Great fighter and an Irishman on UFC 178! -- Lance K. Foley: McGregor is, for the weekend, my least favorite creature on the planet. Anyone seen smacking his or her gum in a wide-jawed mastication for attention should for now on be whacked across the nose with a faucet handle. Also, offenders of the no sunglasses indoors rule should have their eyelids taped shut as middle school girls toss rotten cabbage at their head. He has done both, and incredibly he did them in simulcast. McGregor is the (new) Great Irish Hope, and though I too enjoy the benefit of Eire-founded surname, I don't know that I've ever wanted to see someone freed of his or her right to consciousness as I do this gel-thwacked Lilliputian. I know that professing hatred and hyping a fight is precisely what the UFC wants me to do, and that I'm carrying their saliva-spun water also angers me. But I really do want to see this troll's sneer turned downward and his pretentious affected beard speckled with his own self-righteous, self-aggrandizing DNA. Q: What are the rules regarding the use of headgear in international competition? I've seen video of guys like Ed Ruth and David Taylor wearing it in practice, so it seems odd they don't wear it in competition. Is it prohibited? -- Bryan R. Foley: Not prohibited, as you will see some of the USA female wrestlers wearing them in competition. Headgears are an American anomaly. I've never seen a foreign opponent wear one in practice or competition. That's not to say that stuck somewhere in the Ural Mountains there isn't a self-conscious wrestler who has ordered a pair of Tornados online, but the likelihood is slim. Headgears are another in the long line of Mom Inventions, the single greatest voice of reform on the planet. Mothers don't like injuries (for good reason) and in protecting their sons from a future of malformed noise-catchers, began insisting on ear coverage in the late 60s and early 70s. They were ubiquitous by the 80s. As a side note, there is a legend (almost certainly apocryphal) that during the height of the Soviet Union -- when masculine strength was an important aspect of civilized life -- men who didn't wrestle would slam their ears between doors to attain cauliflower. True or not, that the story persists gives you some indication on how Russia and much of the former Soviet Republics view cauliflower ear, and it's not the same as a mother in Palo Alto. Multimedia Halftime #MaxPower Metamorsis 5: Renzo Gracie vs. Kasusari "Gracie Killer" Sakuraba Q: Where is Toghrul Asgarov of Azerbaijan? We haven't seen much of him since he won the Olympic gold medal in 2012. I thought there was a chance we might see him at the Worlds this year. Has he retired? Injured? Didn't make the team? Do you think you we will see him again in 2015 or 2016? -- Mike C. Foley: One of the first Azeri's to win a gold medal for Azerbaijan, Asgarov received an embarrassment of riches upon his return to Baku after the 2012 Olympic Games. Considering his chosen profession and age -- he was 19 when he won gold -- Asgarov was made a wealthy man overnight. The gold and the wealth lead to Azeri idolatry of the young wrestler, both of which also made him content. Toghrul Asgarov of Azerbaijan won an Olympic gold medal at the age of 19 at the London Games (Photo/Larry Slater)For a wrestler, contentment can often become the biggest enemy of future success. Most people assume it's tough to win multiple Olympic gold medals because of increasing competition, but what stands between most wrestlers and several World titles is the finality of reaching a goal. Asgarov, at only 19, had reached that goal and in turn powered down his competitive engines. Asgarov did compete at 65 kilos in this year's European Championships, but lost first round to Bulgarian wrestler Boris Novachkov and hasn't been seen since. Q: Do you know why Reza Yazdani didn't compete in Uzbekistan? Was he the favorite at 97 kilos? -- Andrew F. Foley: He was one of the favorites and did compete, losing in the quarterfinals to Samil Erdogan of Turkey, 8-0. Erdogan would later lose to Abdusalam Gadisov in the semifinals and eliminate Yazdani's repechage chances. Comment of the Week By Mike C. Jordan Burroughs is a tremendous competitor and great ambassador for the sport. He's humble and a great champion. It bothers me when U.S. wrestling fans make excuses for him not winning a World title this year. It does a disservice to Burroughs. I realize Burroughs was injured in his first match, but saying he would have won a World title if he would have been one-hundred percent healthy is disrespectful toward Denis Tsargush and the other competitors in the weight class. It's almost as if U.S. wrestling fans can't come to grips with the idea that Tsargush might be a better wrestler than Burroughs.

CLARION, Pa. -- Clarion University Athletic Director Dave Katis announced today that wrestling coach Troy Letters has stepped down from his post and that Keith Ferraro, Clarion's assistant coach the past two seasons, has been named interim head coach. Troy LettersA search will begin to fill the position of assistant coach. "Troy has accepted a job in the private sector and has stepped down as head coach," said Katis. "We thank Troy for his hard work and dedication to Clarion wrestling and wish him well in his future. "I am also excited to announce that assistant coach Keith Ferraro has been named interim head coach and will lead our program," continued Clarion's A.D. "We have been impressed with Keith's work over the past two seasons as a recruiter, coach and administrator. He has strong leadership skills and knows what this programs goals and objectives are, and believe we are fortunate to have him leading our program. Clarion is committed to a strong, competitive NCAA Division I Wrestling program." "I am truly honored to be named the interim head wrestling coach at Clarion University and look forward to the challenges that await me this season," said Ferraro. "The Clarion wrestling family is made up of the finest fans and supporters that wrestling has to offer. The commitment from our alumni and fans is an absolutely critical component as we pursue the success and greatness that the program is known for. Our current team is made up of a very young, but talented group. I believe its an exciting time to take the helm of such a storied program. I wish coach Letters the best in his new career and want to thank him for his guidance and support over the past two seasons." Ferraro, 33, the son of legendary Brookville Head Wrestling coach Lenny Ferraro, is a native of Brookville, Pa. and a 1999 Brookville High Grad. He wrestled 2 ½ years for his father, before his passing, and then finished his junior and then senior year under head coach Thad Turner. At Brookville Ferraro was a three-time District Champion 112-Fr.; 125-So.; 135-Sr.) and was part of the 1999 Brookville High School Dual Meet State Championship Team. Keith went on to attend Lock Haven University, was part of the wrestling program for four seasons (2000 - 2003) and graduated in December of 2003 with a degree in Health and Physical Education. A volunteer coach at Central Mountain in the seasons of 2003 and 2004, Ferraro was the head coach at Brockway in the 2005 season, then took a position to teach at Brookville High School and became the assistant coach under Dave Klepfer since 2006. In the 2011-12 season Brookville advanced 13 wrestlers to regionals, 5 to the PIAA Championships and as a team placed fourth in the state dual meet championships. Ferraro and wife Meghan reside in Brookville with sons Lenny and Vincent. Letters, who came to Clarion from Penn State and was an assistant for the 2011-12 season, was Clarion's head coach the last two seasons (2013, 2014). The Golden Eagles had a 9-15 dual meet record, placed 4th at PSAC's, 6th at EWL's and 40th at NCAA Division I Nationals. The 2013 Eagles were 5-10 in duals, second at PSAC's and 4th at EWL's and 33rd at nationals, with James Fleming placing 8th at nationals. Letters was a 2006 graduate of Lehigh, an NCAA D-I National Champ there in 2004 and a 2001 graduate of Shaler High. "I would like to thank Clarion University, especially Dr. Whitney and Dave Katis, as well as the Clarion Alumni, Pin Club and fans for the wonderful opportunity I had being able to coach this historic program," said Letters. "I have decided to step down as the head wrestling coach for an opportunity outside of wrestling. I will always remain a Clarion wrestling fan and supporter! I will miss the wrestlers, but look forward to watching them grow as student athletes and develop their futures." CLARION WRESTLING NOTES: Keith Ferraro's father, Lenny Ferraro, was posthumously inducted into the PA. Wrestling in the Class of 2011 … He was 86-55-4 at Johnsonburg High as head coach from 1974 – 1983. He was District 9 Class AA Coach of the Year in 1979 … Moved on to Brookville and assisted Les Turner until 1993 – then took over at Brookville in 1994 … He was 66-11 at Brookville and won two District 9 titles … He passed away in January of 1998 … Ferraro is only the (8th) head coach at NCAA Division I Clarion since 1960. Frank Lignelli re-started the wrestling program in the Fall of 1959 and coached through 1966. Bob Bubb elevated the program to elite NCAA Division I status as head coach from 1967- 92, while Jack Davis mentored from 1993-97, Ken Nellis from 1998-2006. Teague Moore from 2007 – 2011, Matt Dernlan in 2012 and Troy Letters in 2013 and 2014… In dual meet history the Golden Eagles are 530-348-13 over that time… The program was re-started in the 1959-60 season under head coach Frank Lignelli ... Lignelli was the coach from 1960-66 with a record of 61-12... He passed the torch to Bob Bubb, who from 1966-92, put Clarion wrestling on the national stage... Bubb had a career record of 322-121-4 ... Bubb led Clarion to a 4th place team finish at D-I nationals in 1973, sixth in 1972 and 87 and eighth in 1992, his final season... Bubb coached 7 D-I champions, 3 college division champs, 27 All-Americans, 29 EWL winners and 68 PSAC champs ... Bubb will be remembered for two special athletes, namely Wade Schalles and Kurt Angle... Both were named to the NCAA/NWCA 75th Anniversary Team in March of 2005... Schalles had an amazing career record of 153-5-1, won 2 NCAA titles and posted an NCAA record 106 pins ... Angle also was a 2-time NCAA D-I Champion, posted a record of 116-10-2 and also won an Olympic Gold Medal in 1996 ... On June 4, 2005, Bubb was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma .... Jack Davis was Clarion's head coach from 1993-97 with a record of 43-34-5, Nellis (47-89-3; 1998-2006), and Moore (37-60-1)... Clarion has 8 D-I National Champions, 45 All-Americans, 54 EWL winners and 112 PSAC Champions... That also includes 14 PSAC and 3 EWL team titles…. In 2011 Clarion won the PSAC team title, placed fourth at EWL's and qualified two wrestlers to the NCAA Division I Nationals in 157-lb James Fleming (West Mifflin) and 165-lb Bekzod Abdurakhmonov (Tashkent, Uzbekistan)… In 2012 Clarion was third at PSAC's, fourth at EWL's and 18th at the NCAA Division I National Championships… Clarion had 2 D-I All-Americans in 2012 when Abdurakhmonov, a senior, finished third at 165-pounds, and Fleming, a junior, finished fifth at 157-pounds… Fleming became a two-time All-American in 2013 when he finished 8th at nationals – giving Clarion a 33rd place team finish.

MANHEIM, Pa. -- Two-time All-American Nahshon Garrett of Cornell will make his second straight appearance at the NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps and the Wrestlers in Business Network hosted by Penn and WIBN-Philadelphia on November 1 at the Palestra on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. Cornell's Nahshon Garrett is a two-time All-American (Photo/Simon Jimenez, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Garrett, an NCAA Division I runner-up a year ago and California native, will take on Joey Dance of Virginia Tech at 125 pounds in the second matchup announced by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. Dance, a native of Christiansburg, Virginia, finished a surprising fourth at the Division I championships in Oklahoma City last year. He entered the tournament as the No. 16 seed. Garrett placed third as a true freshman in 2012-13 and went through the 2013-14 season with a 34-2 record, losing only to Illinois' two-time NCAA champion Jesse Delgado. Garrett comes into this season with a sparkling career record of 77-7. As a true freshman last season, Dance finished 29-10 and was a catalyst for Virginia Tech's eighth-place finish in Oklahoma City, the highest in team history. Garrett and Dance met once last season, with Garrett taking a 7-2 decision in Columbus, Ohio at the NWCA Division I National Duals in February. Historically, Cornell has participated in the All-Star Classic with 13 appearances, holding a 6-7 overall record. Garrett topped Jarrod Patterson of Oklahoma in 2013 in overtime, while Kyle Dake won a much-talked-about tie-breaker win over Penn State's David Taylor in 2012 at 165 pounds. Dance's appearance will mark the fourth time a Virginia Tech athlete has appeared in the event. Sean Gray appeared in 2001 and 2002, while Devin Carter participated at 141 pounds last year at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. Dance will try to become the first Hokie to win a match at the event. Outgoing NWCA President and Cornell head coach Rob Koll has participated in the event as a coach and an athlete. While wrestling for North Carolina, Koll won both his appearances at the All-Star Classic, beating current Duke head coach Glen Lanham in 1987 and current Santa Ana College head coach Vince Silva in 1998. "The depth of 125 pounds last year was phenomenal," said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "Every single All-American last year at the weight was an underclassmen, which shows how college-ready our incoming freshmen are. We're grateful coach Rob Koll and coach Kevin Dresser are supportive of the event and are making sure they can contribute to this fantastic showcase event by having Nahshon Garrett and Joey Dance compete in the event. We believe the fans in Philadelphia will get a real treat with two scrappy wrestlers getting after it at 125 pounds" To purchase tickets to the event, click here for the Penn Athletic Ticket Office. Follow on Social Media! For more information on the All-Star Classic, visit www.theallstarclassic.com and follow the NWCA on Facebook and Twitter. Fans can join the discussion with the #NWCAClassic hashtag. Fans should keep an eye on the discussion as there will be contests and interactive discussions about the event via Twitter and Facebook! Competing wrestlers will be eligible for the Outstanding Wrestler Award, presented by the Wrestlers in Business Network - Atlanta Chapter. Announced matchups: 125: Nahshon Garrett, Jr. (Cornell) vs. Joey Dance, So. (Virginia Tech) 133: A.J. Schopp, Sr. (Edinboro) vs. Mason Beckman, Jr. (Lehigh) 141: 149: 157: 165: 174: 184: 197: 285: Showcase matchups to be announced About the NWCA Founded in 1928, the NWCA strives to promote and provide leadership for the advancement of amateur wrestling, primarily at the scholastic and collegiate levels. The association is headquartered in Manheim Pa. The three core competencies are coaching development, student-wrestler welfare, and promotion/advocacy. The NWCA has 10,000 members and educational programs that serve 230,000 students each year. www.nwcaonline.com NWCA on Facebook | NWCA on Twitter About the University of Pennsylvania Established in 1740, the University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League research university located in Philadelphia. Incorporated as The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn is one of 14 founding members of the Association of American Universities and is one of the nine original Colonial Colleges. The school was founded by Ben Franklin. Penn is ranked among the top research universities in the world. About Wrestlers in Business/Wrestlers in Business Philadelphia The Group Wrestlers in Business is a non-profit organization that strives to unite the thousands of wrestlers that have retired from the sport and are now in their respective careers. It started as a networking group on LinkedIn. Since then, the group has evolved into a more prominent, member-focused organization that cares about supporting current & former wrestlers and the sport. Their mission is to establish a community of wrestlers who commonly share in the interest of helping each other in business and in life, while supporting and strengthening the sport that made us who we are today. www.wrestlersinbusiness.org Wrestlers in Business Philadelphia is a newly formed group who will kick-off their Chapter events with a Social Event in September followed by All-Star Classic. A 14-member Board has been elected led by President Anthony Stagliano and he is joined by distinguished names in the wrestling and business community including four members who have long ties to the University of Pennsylvania; Roger Reina who is playing a prominent role in the promotion of the All-Star Classic, Gary Baker, Andy Matter and Chris Hanlon. www.wrestlersinbusiness.org/chapters/philadelphia-pa About the United States Marine Corps On November 10, 1775, the Marine Corps was established by the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since then, the Marine Corps, through service on land, in air, and at sea, have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term "Marine" has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue. Whether facing our nation's foes or conducting humanitarian relief and disaster recovery operations at home or abroad, today's Marine Corps stands ready to continue in the same proud tradition of faithful service to the United States. For more information, visit www.Marines.com.

It's been awhile, but with UFC 178 we finally have an MMA Outsider podcast approved pay-per-view. No doubt Dana White will be thrilled. The flyweight main event between champion Demetrius Johnson and accidental challenger Chris Cariaso is a mere formality. If you want a main card and undercard filled with established fighters and great matchmaking, this is it. Highlighting the proceedings are the two co main events, with Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier and Eddie Alvarez vs. Donald Cerrone. Best of all, Richard and John don't agree on who will win. Enjoy the show. Do you want to listen to a past episode? Access archives.

With the high school wrestling season's start nearing, InterMat is taking readers across the United States of America on a tour of scholastic wrestling. From mid-August until mid-November, InterMat is introducing readers to the top high school senior wrestlers in the 49 states with scholastic wrestling. Mitch Greenwood looks at the top senior wrestlers in North Dakota. This year Ryan Blees (Bismark) claimed his fourth North Dakota state championship before earning his second straight Junior National freestyle title in Fargo. Blees has moved on to wrestle for John Smith at Oklahoma State. This year's senior class in North Dakota may lack a truly elite wrestler like Blees, but there are still several talented wrestlers who should make an impact at the next level. Jordan Shearer (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)1. Jordan Shearer (West Fargo) Projected High School Weight Class: 138 Projected College Weight Class: 141 Analysis: Shearer is in a league of his own right now in the North Dakota wrestling scene. This past year he accomplished something that only three wrestlers had ever done in the state's history by becoming a five-time state champion. With one year left to compete, he could become the state's first six-time state champion. The West Fargo Packer has not just been dominant within the state, he also wrestles one of the toughest out of season schedules of anyone in North Dakota and fairs quite well in those events as well. Shearer came up short in his quest to become a Junior freestyle All-American this past summer in Fargo, but has been a multiple-time All-American in previous years, including 2013, where he placed sixth in Junior freestyle and won the Junior Greco national championship. Shearer is a five-time placewinner in the Rumble on the Red wrestling tournament, placing fourth as a seventh-grader, third as an eighth-grader, winning the tournament as a freshman and sophomore and then placing second as a junior. He's also been a runner-up at the Cheesehead in Wisconsin and three runner-up finishes at the Minnesota Christmas Tournament. Shearer is also a perfect 12-0 in two trips to The Clash. Weston Dobler2. Weston Dobler (West Fargo) Projected High School Weight Class: 160 Projected College Weight Class: 165 Analysis: Dobler became a state champion for the first time as a sophomore and sandwiched two runner-up finishes around that as a freshman and junior. It is important to remember that the runner-up finish as a junior came at the hands of Ryan Blees, the No. 1-ranked 160-pounder in the nation and a potential starter at Oklahoma State this coming season as a true freshman. Dobler did pick up six losses on the season this past year, but three were to Blees, one was to Dylan Urbach (now a Minnesota Gopher) and two were to Andrew Forgarty (verballed to NDSU), so all of his losses were to Division 1 wrestling talent. What vaults Dobler to No. 2 on this list is his national ranking and his accomplishments not just against North Dakota wrestlers, but on the national scene as well. Dobler was 6-0 this past year at The Clash. He was a runner-up at the Rumble on the Red tournament and placed third at the Minnesota Christmas Tournament, with both of his losses in those tournaments coming to the same wrestler. In 2013 Dobler was a double All-American at the FILA Cadet Nationals. He was also a sixth-place finisher at the 2013 Preseason Nationals and a Fargo Cadet All-American in Greco in 2012. Eric Loepp3. Erik Loepp (Oakes) Projected High School Weight Class: 132/138 Projected College Weight Class: 133/141 Analysis: Loepp has an opportunity to do something that very few in North Dakota have ever done. The senior to be already boasts four North Dakota Class B championships and will look to become just the fifth wrestler in the state history to claim five state championships. Loepp capped off his 2013-2014 campaign with an unblemished 30-0 mark on the season. He won three of the five major Class B tournaments throughout the season, the Central Cass Letterman's Tournament, the Storhaug Invitational in Lisbon, and the Linton Holiday Tournament. 4. Matthew Gross (Napoleon) Projected High School Weight Class: 182 Projected College Weight Class: 184 Analysis: Gross found himself at the top of a lot of podiums last season. The Napoleon Imperial won seven individual tournaments, including the Linton Holiday Tournament, the Storhaug Invitational, and East/West to go along with his Region championship and Class B state championship. His only setback of the year was to Martin Mueller of Rapid City, South Dakota, in the semifinal round of the Bismarck Rotary Tournament. Gross went 5-5 at the Junior National Duals in the two combined styles and was 3-3 the year prior. Gross finished as a runner-up at the state tournament his sophomore year and sixth during his freshman season. He will definitely be one of the top upperweight wrestlers in the state this coming season. 5. Tate Barnhardt (Bismarck St. Mary's) Projected High School Weight Class: 132 Projected College Weight Class: 133/141 Analysis: Barnhardt put together a strong junior season as he was one of North Dakota's Triple Crown winners, claiming a Class A state championship to go with his USA Greco and freestyle championships. Barnhardt has also placed third in the state as a sophomore and fifth as a freshman. His third-place finish at the Bismarck Rotary this past year was the highest he's placed in the event after posting back-to-back fifth-place finishes the two prior years. Barnhardt also was a Dickinson Classic champion for the second time in three years, placed second at the Storhaug Invitational, and came up just a win shy of placing at the Rumble on the Red this past year. Barnhardt had two wins in Fargo in the Junior freestyle tournament and had a solid 6-7 overall record at Junior Duals in the two combined styles this past summer. 6. Adam Blees (Bismarck) Projected High School Weight Class: 160 Projected College Weight Class: 157/165 Analysis: Adam Blees had kind of a breakout season this past year for the Bismarck Demons. Blees took third at the state tournament as a freshman, then second as a sophomore before continuing his ascent to the top of the podium and claiming a state championship at 145 pounds. Blees avenged a pair of losses from earlier in the season when he edged out West Fargo's Anjelo Shephard, a three-time state champion in ultimate tiebreaker overtime in the state semifinals before downing Austin Schall from Devil's Lake in the finals by a score of 3-2. Blees had a few good showings prior to the state tournament as well, as he was a Bismarck Rotary runner-up and placed sixth in the Minnesota Christmas Tournament. Blees also had a successful summer, going a perfect 8-0 at the Junior Duals in the Greco portion of the tournament. 7. Jaron Lunday (Grafton) Projected High School Weight Class: 152/160 Projected College Weight Class: 157 Analysis: Jaron Lunday has been wrestling for the Grafton Spoilers for about as long as they have been in existence. He was their first state qualifier five years ago. He was their first state placewinner as well. As a sophomore he was the first from his school to reach the state finals as he claimed runner-up honors, and finally this past season he became the first to win a state championship for his school when he knocked off returning state champion Walker Carr from Carrington. Lunday went 10-1 at Junior Duals this past year, going 3-0 in freestyle and 6-1 in Greco. The Region 2 champion claimed top honors at the Central Cass Lettermen's tournament this past year and was a runner-up at the Storhaug Invitational in Lisbon. 8. Brayden Kuntz (South Border) Projected High School Weight Class: 170 Projected College Weight Class: 165/174 Analysis: Kuntz had a very solid season in 2014-2015. Unfortunately, he had a huge roadblock in his way that may have prevented him from being a little higher on this list. The roadblock was Dylan Urbach, the all-time winningest wrestler in the history of Class B North Dakota and current Minnesota Gopher. Kuntz finished runner-up at the Napoleon Early Bird, the Central Cass Lettermen's Tournament, The Storhaug Invitational, The East/West, Region I Individual Tournament and the Class B State Tournament. Five of the six losses that he suffered in those finals matches came at the hands of Urbach. Aside from those tournaments, Kuntz also finished seventh at the Rumble on the Red and was a champion at two of the bigger Class B tournaments in the state: Rugby Panthers Invite and Linton Holiday Tournament. 9. Nicholas Becker (Napoleon) Projected High School Weight Class: 195 Projected College Weight Class: 197 Analysis: Becker, the second Napoleon Imperial on this list, really burst onto the scene after a strong sophomore season where he placed fourth at 170 pounds. Becker had an even more impressive junior season, going 37-3 and winning the state title at 182 pounds. Two of Becker's three losses came to regional rival Tucker Meidinger -- a wrestler Becker bested five other times on the season, including in the state championship match. With Gross as a practice partner, the Imperials will have one of the most effective one-two punches in the entire state in their upper-weight classes. Becker was the East/West champion, Linton Holiday champion and placed third at the Bismarck Rotary Tournament. 10. Waylon DeCoteau (Turtle Mountain) Projected High School Weight Class: 220 Projected College Weight Class: 197/285 Decoteau, from TMCHS, is one of two non-state champions on this list. However, he has been a perennial state placewinner in the upperweights for the Braves over the past few seasons and came up just short on a 9-6 decision in the state championship match this past season. DeCoteau has won state Greco and freestyle titles each of the past two seasons. He is no stranger to the off-season circuit either. He won a combined six matches at in Fargo in the two styles this past summer and compiled a 10-4 combined record at Junior Duals (7-1 in Greco). He also was an eighth-place finisher in the Preseason Nationals this past year as well. During his 2013-2014 campaign, Waylon was a West Region champion, won the Rugby Panthers Invitational, New Town Eagles Invite and claimed third-place honors at the Bismarck Rotary Tournament.

The United States has an experienced and talented team which will compete in the CISM World Military Wrestling Championships at Joint Base McGuire – Dix – Lakehurst, in New Jersey, October 3-6. "CISM is a very important tournament, not just for the athletes but for the military. CISM is an organization that makes friendships through sport. This has a long tradition. You have a lot of World medalists that compete here. It gives our military athletes a chance to compete against many of the best wrestlers in the world," said U.S. coach Shon Lewis. The Greco-Roman team features a number of top American stars, led by 2012 Olympian and two-time World bronze medalist SGT Justin Lester of the U.S. Army at 71 kilos and two-time Olympian SGT Spenser Mango of the U.S. Army at 59 kilos. Mango, who has made every U.S. World and Olympic team since 2008, a streak of seven straight years. Mango placed fifth at the World Championships in both 2013 and 2014. Lester, who also competed on the 2014 U.S. World Team, has made six U.S. World Teams along with his Olympic team berth. Another member of the 2014 U.S. World Team, 1stLt Bryce Saddoris of the U.S. Marine Corps, will compete at 66 kilos in Greco-Roman. Saddoris was an NCAA Div. I All-American for the U.S. Naval Academy. Past U.S. Open champion SSgt David Arendt of the U.S. Marine Corps will wrestle at 130 kilos. Rounding out the Greco-Roman team are CPT Jon Anderson of the U.S. Army at 75 kilos, MSgt Sherwin Severin of the U.S. Air Force at 80 kilos, A1C Nathaniel Hartley of the U.S. Air Force at 85 kilos and SPC Pete Gounaridis of the U.S. Army at 98 kilos. The men's freestyle team features a pair of past NCAA Div. I All-Americans, SGT Moza Fay of the U.S. Army at 74 kilos and SPC Jack Jensen of the U.S. Army at 96 kilos. Fay won his All-American honors for Northern Iowa, while Jensen was an All-American for Oklahoma State. Others on the men's freestyle team are 1stLt Aaron Kalil of the U.S. Marine Corps at 57 kilos, PO3 Sheldon Wilder of the U.S. Navy at 61 kilos, SGT Jamel Johnson of the U.S. Army at 65 kilos, Cpl Joseph Foreman of the U.S. Marines Corps at 70 kilos, MSgt Sherwin Severin of the U.S. Air Force at 80 kilos and SPC Eric Nye of the U.S. Army at 125 kilos The women's freestyle team is led by 2008 Olympic bronze medalist and 2014 U.S. World Team member SGT Randi Miller of the U.S. Army at 69 kilos/152 pounds, along with 2005 World champion SSG Iris Smith of the U.S. Army at 75 kilos/165 pounds. Two-time U.S. World Team member and 2007 Junior World champion SGT Whitney Conder of the U.S. Army will compete at 53 kilos/116.5 pounds. Another two-time U.S. World Team member, CPT Leigh Provisor of the U.S. Army, is wrestling at 63 kilos. SGT Othello Feroleto of the U.S. Army, who was third in the 2008 University World Championships, is entered at 60 kilos. There will be wrestle-off for the 58 kilos team berth between SGT Sally Roberts of the U.S. Army and Cpl Melissa Apodaca of the U.S. Marine Corps. Roberts is a two-time World bronze medalist. Smith was a CISM World Military champion at 72 kilos at the 2010 CISM Championships in Lahti, Finland, while Feroleto was a CISM World Military bronze medalist at 63 kilos the same year. Coaching the team are U.S. Army coach Shon Lewis and U.S. Marine Corps coach Jason Loukides. Loukides was a CISM World Military bronze medalist at 96 kilos in freestyle in 2003 when he was enlisted in the U.S. Army. "When it comes to CISM, it is one team, one fight, one war, one win. All four branches of the U.S. military will be represented at the CISM Championships. We become one Armed Forces team," said Lewis. There are 24 nations entered, with over 200 athletes expected. The participating nations include: Algeria, Armenia, Brazil, China, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, Germany, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, United Arab Emirets, Ukraine, and the United States. The United States last hosted the CISM World Military Championships in 2000 at the U.S. Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune, N.C. The team won 12 medals at that event, led by Greco-Roman champion Duaine Martin at 58 kilos and freestyle champions Jeff Bedard at 63 kilos and Mike Van Arsdale at 97 kilos. "A good performance for us is four or five gold medals and winning the team title. We have the individuals who can win gold medals. We can put them together and win the team title," said Lewis. CISM WORLD MILITARY WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS At Joint Base McGuire – Dix – Lakehurst, N.J., October 3-6 U.S. Greco-Roman roster 59 kilos: SGT Spenser Mango, U.S. Army 66 kilos: 1stLt Bryce Saddoris, U.S. Marine Corps 71 kilos: SGT Justin Lester, U.S. Army 75 kilos: CPT Jon Anderson, U.S. Army 80 kilos: MSgt Sherwin Severin, U.S. Air Force 85 kilos: A1C Nathaniel Hartley, U.S. Air Force 98 kilos: SPC Pete Gounaridis, U.S. Army 130 kilos: SSgt David Arendt, U.S. Marine Corps U.S. Men's Freestyle roster 57 kilos: 1stLt Aaron Kalil, U.S. Marine Corps 61 kilos: PO3 Sheldon Wilder, U.S. Navy 65 kilos: SGT Jamel Johnson, U.S. Army 70 kilos: Cpl Joseph Foreman, U.S. Marines Corps 74 kilos: SGT Moza Fay, U.S. Army 86 kilos: MSgt Sherwin Severin, U.S. Air Force 96 kilos: SPC Jack Jensen, U.S. Army 125 kilos: SPC Eric Nye, U.S. Army U.S. Women's Freestyle roster 53 kilos: SGT Whitney Conder, U.S. Army 58 kilos: SGT Sally Roberts, U.S. Army or Cpl Melissa Apodaca, U.S. Marine Corps 60 kilos: SGT Othello Feroleto, U.S. Army 63 kilos: CPT Leigh Provisor, U.S. Army 69 kilos: SGT Randi Miller, U.S. Army 75 kilos: SSG Iris Smith, U.S. Army Coach: Shon Lewis, U.S. Army Coach: Jason Loukides, U.S. Marine Corps Chief of Mission Col. James Hodge Team Captain and Tournament Director Floyd Winter CISM Committee member Maj (Ret.) Jay Antonelli Medical LTC Anthony Johnson Medical LTC David Haight Medical Lt Col Anthony Beutler Medical MAJ Christopher Ledford Medical MAJ Jesse DeLuca Medical MAJ Patrick Carey Referee: Rick Tucci Referee: Mike Swisher Referee: Tim Pierson Pairing Official: Sue Hesser Pairing Official: Paul DeFosse Competition Schedule Friday, 3 October Competition in Men's freestyle (57 kilos, 61 kilos, 65 kilos, 70 kilos) and women's freestyle (48 kilos, 53 kilos, 55 kilos, 58 kilos) Saturday, 4 October Competition in Men's freestyle (74 kilos, 86 kilos, 97 kilos, 125 kilos) and women's freestyle (60 kilos, 63 kilos, 69 kilos, 75 kilos) Sunday, 5 October Competition in Greco-Roman (59 kilos, 66 kilos, 71 kilos, 75 kilos) Monday, 6 October Competition in Greco-Roman (80 kilos, 85 kilos, 98 kilos, 130 kilos) Comments

A pair of Division I All-Americans and Pennsylvania natives will meet up for the second straight year as the National Wrestling Coaches Association has announced the first matchup for the NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps and Wrestlers in Business Network hosted by Penn and WIBN-Philadelphia on November 1 at the Palestra on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. Edinboro's A.J. Schopp finished fourth at the NCAAs last season (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)This will be the 49th edition of the All-Star Classic and the third time the event has been held in Philadelphia. Two-time All-American A.J. Schopp of Edinboro will face Lehigh's All-American Mason Beckman at 133 pounds in a rematch of last year's All-Star Classic tilt, won by Beckman 5-1. Schopp, a senior, will make his third straight appearance in the All-Star Classic. In 2012, Schopp defeated Minnesota's Chris Dardanes 2-1 at 133 pounds. It'll also be the fourth straight year an Edinboro wrestler has been selected for the event. "Every time these two wrestlers get on the mat with one another, it's going to be a hard-fought battle," said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "Edinboro coach Tim Flynn and Lehigh coach Pat Santoro have always been supportive of the All-Star Classic and we're excited to have these two wrestlers meet on the mat again." Schopp was the No. 2 seed at the NCAA Division I Championships last year and finished the season with a 35-3 record en route to a fourth-place finish at 133 pounds. Beckman, a junior, finished last season 28-6, was the No. 6 seed at the NCAA's and finished in sixth place at the same weight. Beckman's 3-2 all-time against Schopp, with the two splitting matches while they were in high school and Beckman winning a freestyle match between the two at the 2012 University Nationals. Schopp picked up the most recent win, beating Beckman 5-0 at the Midlands in December of 2013. To purchase tickets to the event, click here for the Penn Athletic Ticket Office. Follow on Social Media! For more information on the All-Star Classic, visit www.theallstarclassic.com and follow the NWCA on Facebook and Twitter. Fans can join the discussion with the #NWCAClassic hashtag. Fans should keep an eye on the discussion as there will be contests and interactive discussions about the event via Twitter and Facebook! Competing wrestlers will be eligible for the Outstanding Wrestler Award, presented by the Wrestlers in Business Network - Atlanta Chapter. Announced matchups: 125: 133: A.J. Schopp (Edinboro) vs. Mason Beckman (Lehigh) 141: 149: 157: 165: 174: 184: 197: 285: Showcase matchups to be announced About the NWCA Founded in 1928, the NWCA strives to promote and provide leadership for the advancement of amateur wrestling, primarily at the scholastic and collegiate levels. The association is headquartered in Manheim Pa. The three core competencies are coaching development, student-wrestler welfare, and promotion/advocacy. The NWCA has 10,000 members and educational programs that serve 230,000 students each year. www.nwcaonline.com NWCA on Facebook | NWCA on Twitter About the University of Pennsylvania Established in 1740, the University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League research university located in Philadelphia. Incorporated as The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn is one of 14 founding members of the Association of American Universities and is one of the nine original Colonial Colleges. The school was founded by Ben Franklin. Penn is ranked among the top research universities in the world. About Wrestlers in Business/Wrestlers in Business Philadelphia The Group Wrestlers in Business is a non-profit organization that strives to unite the thousands of wrestlers that have retired from the sport and are now in their respective careers. It started as a networking group on LinkedIn. Since then, the group has evolved into a more prominent, member-focused organization that cares about supporting current & former wrestlers and the sport. Their mission is to establish a community of wrestlers who commonly share in the interest of helping each other in business and in life, while supporting and strengthening the sport that made us who we are today. www.wrestlersinbusiness.org Wrestlers in Business Philadelphia is a newly formed group who will kick-off their Chapter events with a Social Event in September followed by All-Star Classic. A 14-member Board has been elected led by President Anthony Stagliano and he is joined by distinguished names in the wrestling and business community including four members who have long ties to the University of Pennsylvania; Roger Reina who is playing a prominent role in the promotion of the All-Star Classic, Gary Baker, Andy Matter and Chris Hanlon. About the United States Marine Corps On November 10, 1775, the Marine Corps was established by the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since then, the Marine Corps, through service on land, in air, and at sea, have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term "Marine" has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue. Whether facing our nation's foes or conducting humanitarian relief and disaster recovery operations at home or abroad, today's Marine Corps stands ready to continue in the same proud tradition of faithful service to the United States. For more information, visit www.Marines.com.